MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct. 8 (PIA) --- The five schools divisions in the province have forged partnership with the provincial government and the Fit For School, Inc. (FFSI) to ensure the sustainability of the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP).
The memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed by the parties during the EHCP launching, at the Bacolod Central Pilot School in Bacolod Kalawi town, this province, last Oct. 6.
The EHCP consists of the most cost-effective and evidence-based preventive interventions to improve the health of school children in public schools, thus, improving their academic performance.
A flagship program of the Department of Education (DepEd), the EHCP has been a success in improving the health of thousands of school children in 73 provinces in the country.
It includes the implementation of daily soap hand washing and daily fluoride tooth brushing, mass bi-annual de-worming of children, as well, as improving water and sanitation facilities in public elementary schools and day care centers.
Under the MoA, the schools divisions of Lanao del Sur I-A, I-B, II-A and II-B, and that of Marawi City agreed to undertake the implementation of EHCP and to ensure that its interventions are practiced through daily group activities included in the Daily Class Program.
The provincial government, on the other hand, will provide financial support and ensure timely procurement and delivery of needed materials, such as, toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap, for use in schools.
Also, it will take immediate action in ensuring the accessibility of water in the identified schools and work for the sustainability of the programs by way of ordinance or any other long term solution.
Meanwhile, FFSI will assist the DepEd and the local government unit in the proper implementation of the EHCP by providing capacity building and technical assistance in the development of training and monitoring modules.
It will also provide information, education and communication (IEC) materials and support the health and education sectors in the promotion and management of school-based health programs.
Signatories of the MoA included Superintendents Normillah Pangandaman, Sangcad Benito, Zenaida Ampatua, Lawanbai Macacua, and Pharida Sansarona for Lanao del Sur I-A, I-B, II-A and II-B, and the Marawi City School Divisions, respectively, First Lady Raifa Adiong, represented Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Cromwell Bacareza, FFSI Director of Operations.
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