School health and nutrition | UNESCO

To transform education and the lives of children and adolescents, UNESCO urges governments and development partners to put learners’ health and well-being at the core of the education agenda and to improve the quality and reach of school health and nutrition programmes.

We need comprehensive policies, costed plans and programmes that address all learners’ needs holistically, are relevant and responsive to contexts and evolving needs, coordinated across sectors and sustained by increased policy and financial commitments.

There are many ways in which schools can promote physical and mental health and well-being. This starts by including health and well-being in curriculum, providing nutritious school meals and ensuring access to health services. It also means ensuring that school environments are free from violence and conducive to good health, nutrition, development and learning. Greater efforts to engage learners and communities and to ensure school staff and teachers have the necessary knowledge, tools and support are also needed.

School health and nutrition actions are a cost-effective investment. They can help reach marginalized learners and advance inclusion and equity, while benefitting multiple sectors including education, health, social protection and agriculture.