1.

Background

School Health and Nutrition Program is an important component for achieving the goal of "Education for All". The school health and nutrition program, based on the internationally endorsed FRESH approach (Focusing Resources on Effective School Health), encompasses school programs jointly organized by education and health sectors to enhance health, nutrition and education status of children aged 5-17 years. Improved use of school-based health and nutrition services, better and improved access to safe water and sanitation and skills-based health education, community support and policy environment, are the core elements of the School Health and Nutrition model. There are many INGOs/NGOs, UN organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies have been implementing or supporting the implementation in the various school health, nutrition and sanitation programs in different parts of Nepal. There is need for alignment and harmonization of the school health and nutrition activities to avoid duplication and improve the synergies among all the stakeholders involved in School Health Programs. Therefore, those who are working in this sector gathered and formed the network, called School Health and Nutrition Network

2. Scope of work of the Network

The Network is a loose, informal and voluntary based network of MOHP, MOES, non for profit organizations (I/NGOs) and multilateral and bilateral donors committed to improve the health and nutritional status of school aged children. The purpose of the Network in School Health and Nutrition is to advocate and lobby for implementation and scaling up of the school health and nutrition programs, based on best practices, at central and local level, as per the National School Health and Nutrition Strategy approved by the Government of Nepal in 2006. The Network considers this Strategy as the guiding document for all the activities related to school health and nutrition in Nepal. The Network aims at maximizing the co ordination of all the stakeholders working in the School Health and Nutrition program, avoiding overlapping among its implementing members and stimulating the development and extension of partnerships throughout the nation. In these endeavors, the Network plays a complementary role to the initiatives and activities promoted by MOES and MOHP.

3. Overall Goal

To ensure that a better health status is enjoyed by all Nepalese children through the promotion and implementation of School Health and Nutrition program at national level

3.1 Objectives

Following are the objectives of the Network in School Health and Nutrition
to create an environment for coordination and collaboration among members to establish synergies in the health and education efforts and avoid unnecessary duplication and overlapping. to promote and disseminate among the Networks members information about programs and projects related to school health and nutrition and on the achievements at local level to advocate for school health and nutrition program promotion and implementation as well as the scaling up of the national school health and nutrition strategy at local level to support the School Health and Nutrition Advisory Committee in the reviewing of implementation, monitoring, supervision and providing of feedback on the national SHN strategy. to promote, among members, the implementation of program and projects based on a comprehensive approach to SHN strategy covering all four IR of the strategy (in this regards, members, depending on their budget and financial possibilities, will strive for supporting program and project covering all the aspects of the strategy).

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4. Activities of the Network

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Select/Elect, among the members organizations, a member that will act as coordinator on a yearly rotation basis Prepare a year work plan for implementation Share among the partners, good practice, experience, lessons learned, expertise and skills in the school health and nutrition area through regular meetings. Inform and facilitate the members participation in specific events and consultations at national and local level on public health related issues Mapping of the SHN program implementation by the different organization Create a resource centre by collecting resources (like books, video etc) on School Health and Nutrition and school based Health. This can be created on Child Health Division Organize regular meetings four to six times a year or as required-- to update on developments and progress and plan activities as per its objectives and mandate Organize one workshop every year to share experiences and advocate for the implementation/review of the strategy Work with and support School Health and Nutrition Advisory Committee in the reviewing of national SHN policy and guidelines, strengthening the monitoring and supervision of the implementation of SHN program Co-ordination, at the central level and district level, among all stakeholders, including DEO and DHO.. Wherever possible and feasible, the members, at local level, will advocate for creation/strengthening of the District School Health and Nutrition Coordination Committee.

5. Coordination of the Network

All the organizations working in the School Health and Nutrition Section can be the member of the Network. Network will be co-chaired by Chief of Nutrition Section, Child Health Division, Department of Health Services under MOHP and Deputy Director, Educational Material Management Section, Administration Division, DOE, under MOES, a member among bilateral, multilateral and INGO will be appointed as Coordinator on a yearly rotation basis. All members interested in the role will be encouraged to voluntarily propose themselves for it and the appointment will be based on an unanimous decision by all the members. In case of different members willing to be Coordinator, a simple majority vote will be held to elect the Coordinator.

5.1 Roles and Responsibilities of the Coordinating Member/Coordinator

The role of the Coordinating Member will be to provide logistic management and coordination support to the Network during its regular meetings that will be held in its premise. The Coordinating Member will formally represent the Network towards Government Agencies and other stakeholders. He/She will take initiative and offer leadership in planning and implementation of the activities as per agreed work plan, facilitating the exchange of the information and best practices. The Coordinating Member could be supported by a restricted number of members that voluntarily will facilitate the coordination of the Network

Project's Major Activities School Health and Nutrition Project has developed a Minimum School Health Services Package to conduct School Health and Nutrition Activities. Following are the Mojor Activities of the Package. Physical Check-up

Measuring height, weight and eye sight of children at target schools once a year to khow the nutrition status of children. De-worming Program

Distributing de-worming tablets to children at target schools twice a year to make them de-worming. Also provide information regarding prevention of worm infestation. First Aid Services

Provided First Aid Kit Box to all the traget schools. Also trained the teachers on Utilization of First Aid Kit Box to provide first aid services to children. School Check List

Prepared 'School Check List'. This is a self-evaluation check sheet used by schools to improve school environment and health and nutrition behaviours and habits of children.

Child Club Mobilization

Supporting to mobilize the Child Club in all the target schools. Child Club members are the main actors to support School Health and Nutrition Activities in their schools as well as in their community.