Lesotho School Health and Nutrition Policy.

The School Health and Nutrition (SHN) Policy is a national cross-sectoral framework designed to (i) guide, protect, and promote the health and well-being of all learners in schools; (ii) improve learners’ health and nutrition status by equipping them with knowledge, positive attitudes, and life skills for informed decision-making, while also ensuring access to quality health and nutrition services; (iii) strengthen educational outcomes by reducing dropout rates, increasing enrolment and attendance, and enhancing the overall quality of education. To improve both educational achievement and learner well-being, the Government of Lesotho developed the SHN Policy as an integrated approach that promotes coordination, complementarity, and collaboration among key stakeholders involved in school health and nutrition. The Policy recognizes that healthy and well-nourished learners are more likely to participate actively in education and achieve better learning outcomes. At the same time, schools provide an important platform for promoting healthy behaviours and improving long-term health and nutrition outcomes through quality education and health awareness. Particular attention is given to vulnerable and disadvantaged learners, who are often disproportionately affected by poor health and malnutrition and therefore stand to benefit the most from effective school health and nutrition interventions. By addressing barriers to learning associated with ill health and inadequate nutrition, the SHN programme seeks to create an enabling environment in which all learners can fully participate and succeed in education.
The strategic objectives of the School Health and Nutrition Policy are to (i) promote and support the provision of skills-based health and nutrition education, learner-friendly health and nutrition services, and safe, healthy physical and psychosocial environments in both formal and non-formal education settings in order to improve educational outcomes; (ii) promote and maintain the health and nutritional status of learners through effective health promotion interventions aimed at enhancing and sustaining their physical, social, and mental well-being; (iii) strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and enhance collaboration among line ministries in the planning and implementation of School Health and Nutrition (SHN) interventions, with a particular focus on reinforcing multi-sectoral coordination, partnerships, referrals, and joint planning and implementation among relevant ministries, communities, and other stakeholders; (iv) facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation of the School Health and Nutrition programme through the establishment of clear accountability, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms; (v) strengthen school- and community-based health and nutrition initiatives by promoting the active participation of parents, guardians, and communities in supporting, protecting, and promoting the health, nutrition, and overall well-being of children and young people in both formal and non-formal education settings.
The Policy operationalizes School Health and Nutrition (SHN) programming through interventions that strengthen health education, school health services, safe learning environments, and nutrition practices in schools. It promotes the integration of health and nutrition content into the curriculum through user-friendly Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, while supporting teachers to deliver comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and equipping schools to respond effectively to disease outbreaks. The Policy also requires that school health-related research comply with the National Health Research Policy. To create safer and more inclusive school environments, the Policy supports measures to prevent alcohol, drug, and substance abuse, promote hygiene and sanitation practices, and improve access to friendly health and nutrition services for learners, including those with disabilities. Schools will be encouraged to establish first aid facilities, strengthen referral systems, and conduct regular inspections of water and sanitation facilities. In addition, the Policy promotes routine health screening, psychosocial support and counselling services, immunization, and awareness of healthy lifestyles and emerging diseases. To improve nutrition among learners, parents, vendors, and school communities will be educated on safe food handling and balanced nutrition, while school canteens and food vendors will be monitored to ensure compliance with food safety and nutrition standards.