The Buddhist monastic school system in Myanmar, established in the11th century1 and mostly managed by Buddhist monks, plays an important role in the communities, especially for the underprivileged, poor, orphans, internally displaced children, providing them free education and shelter. Leveraging the reach of these schools, WHO Myanmar collaborated with Phaung Daw Oo Integrated Monastic Education High School in Mandalay and introduced health promoting schools programme in 2023. While the aim was ‘Every school must be health promoting school’, WHO’s approach was to improve and/or protect the health and well-being of all school users - students, teachers and non-teaching staff.
As the programme rolled out, the monastic schools introduced activities for tobacco free schools, for water and sanitation, mental health, nutrition, prevention of non-communicable diseases, comprehensive sexual education, prevention and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PRSEAH) etc. Advocacy by the principal monks themselves, and also with families and communities, coupled with services such as dental, eye and health checkups, contributed to WHO and Phaung Daw Oo monasteries’ aim towards health and well-being of the young generation and the communities.
A nun demonstrates hand washing to students of the monastic education school. Photo Credit: NCD, WHO Myanmar |
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In 2023, in Phaung Daw Oo monastic schools, 2 035 students learned about the mental health and comprehensive sexual education in workshops conducted by 150 peer educators (students). Signboards were installed in schools highlighting the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and vape.
For raising awareness on nutrition, 149 talk sessions were held with a total of 8 447 students. As many as 16 545 students were provided vitamins, including folic acid for girls. All students were dewormed in accordance with the government school policy.
Oral health screening was done for 4 809 students and 96 teachers, and eye checkups for 1 942 students and 31 teachers. Medial screening was done for 5 885 students and 86 teachers and 38 students were referred for necessary treatment.
WHO provided knowledge and advocacy material for master trainings and health advocacy.
The impact of these initiatives is evident with students talking freely about issues such as mental health, bullying, stress, pubertal changes etc. Positive changes in attitude and behaviour are visible.
Following up with the program monitoring, WHO observed the school structure, WASH, dust bin, toothbrushing, playground and etc..
With continued WHO support, the Phaung Daw Oo monastic education high schools are extending these integrated health activities in Mandalay this year. Trained teachers will be covering more schools and more and more school children and communities.
Positive behavior change in younger generation is an investment for healthy future.
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