School Health and Nutrition

School health and nutrition program aims to execute a holistic school health and nutrition program that coincides with United States Department of Agriculture McGovern Dole’s objectives and Government’s School Health and Nutrition program aligning with government’s priorities and national program. The overall goal of the school health and nutrition program is to develop physical, education, and mental and emotional development of the school children. Since the MGD FY 2014 cycle, WFP has worked with a cooperating partner to implement Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in school component that complements the School Meals Program. It has created the groundwork for future work by promoting safe water, improving WaSH behaviors among students, and strengthening WaSH services in school. Since 2016 IDS-Nepal is implementing partners and from 2020 IDS-Nepal is strategic partner of World Food Programme (WFP).

The project cycle for FY 2020 seeks to support the government to revive and implement the National School Health and Nutrition as envisioned by Ministry of Health and Population and Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. Currently, in close coordination with the government, the program intends to support/strengthen school health and nutrition program in 1,602 schools of 4 districts (Accham, Bajura, Bajhang and Darchula) of far-west province. The program aims to provide basic service package, an integrated health and nutrition services, at schools which consists of health screening, iron and folic acid and deworming tablets supplementation, WaSH, nutrition, and health social behavior communication change, first aid services, school health register, mid-day meal and its recording and reporting. SHN program has incorporated menstrual hygiene management, as envisioned by the government, to enhance knowledge, increase access of the current issues of rural Nepal.

Thus, the program supports to strength the local support/service system and improves the accessibility, availability and utilization of the health and nutrition services to school students. This ultimately may contribute to achieve the sustainable development goals related to zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water, and sanitation.