C’River: CAPI Sensitises Students On Public Health

The Children Care and
Adult Protection Initiative (CAPI), Cross Rivers State collaboration with the State Ministry of Health as well as Education have organized a one-day sensitization workshop on school health in public schools.
Ms Evelyn Oti, The Chief Executive Officer CAPI said at the occasion on Wednesday in Calabar that the workshop in  the state,was aimed at getting the children to know about their health while in school.
Oti described the African child, as very brilliant but with limited opportunities due to ignorance and disease.
“The Nigerian child has several challenges inhibiting him from achieving his set dreams.
“Health is one of those factors. That is why we are trying to create awareness in public schools in the state on school health.
We are also trying to get them involved in what is good school health in public schools,” she said.
In her paper entitled ‘Health/Child Protection In Schools,” the guest lecturer, and Chairperson, (Child Protection Network In Schools Mrs Marian Ekanem, described good health and protection in schools as very essential for the development of any child .
Ekanem said a mentally and physically healthy child was liable to perform well in school and contribute to socio-economic well-being of society.
“When a child is mentally stable and the environment is conducive for learning, he will do well and will put his education to use,” she noted.
She stressed the need for support services in public schools in the state and country in general for the general good of the children.
In her remarks, Mrs. Anne Odey, Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Education, expressed the ministry’s willingness to partner any organization or group that promotes healthy condition of pupils and students in the state.
Odey, who was represented by, Mr Oja Amang, a staff in the ministry said as a policy, the ministry had made it mandatory for good water supply and sanitation facilities to be provided in private and public schools.
She also disclosed that immunization certificate for children were now a prerequisite for admission of pupils in public schools in the state.
Children and Teachers from various Primary and Post Primary schools in Calabar attended the workshop.

Friday Nwagbara,
Calabar