The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Leh, in collaboration with the Health Department, organised a four-day School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP) from January 7 to 10 for newly appointed School Health and Wellness Ambassadors, Physical Education Masters (PEMs), and Physical Education Teachers (PETs) at DIET Leh.

The programme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Education, aimed at strengthening health education and promoting the holistic well-being of students in both government and private schools of Leh district.

The workshop is being conducted for newly appointed SHWP teachers, PEMs, and PETs from government high and higher secondary schools of Leh district.

The training programme was inaugurated by Head of the Department, Sonam Lamo, along with Dr. Farhana Iqbal, District Immunisation Officer (DIO) and District Nodal Officer, SHWP, Leh, in the presence of SHWP coordinators and Adolescent Wellness Centre counsellors from Tangtse, Nyoma, and Nubra blocks.

The four-day training has been designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the 11 modules of the School Health and Wellness Programme, enabling teachers to effectively address the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of students.

On the first day, Dr. Farhana Iqbal provided an overview of the School Health and Wellness Programme, highlighting its objectives, structure, and the crucial role of teachers in promoting healthy lifestyles among students. This was followed by an insightful session by Dr. Savita Poonia, Gynaecologist, who spoke in detail about the physical and physiological changes during adolescence.

In the second session, Dr. Sajjad Hussain, Clinical Psychologist, delivered an engaging and informative lecture on the prevention and management of substance misuse, emphasising early identification, counselling strategies, and the role of schools in creating a supportive and safe environment for students.

A total of 70 teachers, PEMs, and PETs from government schools are participating in the workshop. The programme is expected to enhance their capacity to implement the School Health and Wellness Programme effectively and enable them to act as change agents in promoting adolescent health and well-being across schools in Leh district.

The workshop reflects a strong commitment towards integrating health, wellness, and education in alignment with national priorities for the well-being of children.