To address the multifaceted challenges faced by Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) expressed commitment to prioritize the physical health and mental well-being of Filipino students.
In a meeting on Monday, Nov. 13, Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte and DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa emphasized that both agencies are committed to working collaboratively to tackle health issues directly affecting school-aged children.
Duterte, in a statement, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss with DOH issues related to the health of students ---- particularly incidents and cases of HIV/AIDS among young students, teenage pregnancies, and issues related to their mental wellness, including the reasons behind suicides.
“Napagtanto namin na hindi lahat ng mga suliranin sa paaralan ay resulta ng kalidad ng edukasyon (We realized that not all the problems in schools are a result of the quality of education),” Duterte said.
“Marami sa mga ito ay sanhi ng pisikal at mental na kalusugan, na isa sa mga pinakamahalagang aspeto na dapat nating bigyang-pansin upang matiyak ang pangkalahatang pag-unlad ng isip, katawan, at damdamin ng ating mga mag-aaral (Many of these are due to physical and mental health, which is one of the most crucial aspects that we should pay attention to in order to ensure the overall development of the minds, bodies, and emotions of our students),” she added.
Overall well-being of students
During the meeting, both agencies recognized that not all problems of learners are solely related to the quality of education. Thus, they have come together to prioritize the physical health and mental well-being of students.
DepEd, in a statement, noted that the discussion revolved around a range of critical concerns, including the clustering of Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) in schools across the country, reported HIV/AIDS incidences among school-aged children, teenage pregnancies, mental wellness of students, and other factors that significantly impact the overall development of learners.
“By acknowledging that the well-being of learners extends beyond traditional educational boundaries, the DepEd and the DOH have taken a groundbreaking step towards creating a holistic approach to education,” DepEd said.
“Both agencies firmly believe that a healthy body and mind are vital prerequisites for effective learning and long-term academic success,” DepEd added.
Collaboration for comprehensive strategies
Moreover, DepEd noted that the collaboration between the two agencies aims to address several key areas, including the Clustering of Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI), HIV/AIDS Incidence, Teenage Pregnancies, and Mental Wellness.
“Together, these agencies will work towards identifying the root causes of ILI outbreaks in schools and implementing preventive measures to protect the health of students and staff,” DepEd said.
DepEd added that the efforts will also be made to “raise awareness, provide accurate information, and implement preventive programs to combat the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS among school-aged children.”
Additionally, DepEd said that the two agencies will jointly develop “comprehensive strategies” to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and provide support to pregnant students, ensuring they can continue their education.
DepEd noted that both agencies will “collaborate” to implement programs that address mental health issues among students, such as stress management, counseling services, and the creation of a supportive environment.
“With a shared vision of enhancing the overall educational experience for Filipino learners, the DepEd and the DOH are determined to work hand in hand to address these pressing health concerns,” DepEd said.
“By prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of students, both agencies aim to create a conducive learning environment that nurtures the holistic development of every learner,” DepEd added.