Health Education, in principle and in action is an integral part of the total educational programme of the school. Its aims and objectives are in harmony with the broader aims and objectives of education. Its content and methods are also guided by understanding of the learning process.
Then the development of child-centered curricula, the use of teaching units and emphasis on school-community relationship are recognised and followed in health teaching also.
When health education is so harmonised with the total educational programme, its effectiveness is increased and education, as a whole, is also enriched.
Physical health is the pre-requisite of an education. In the word of Crow and Crow:
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“Palatial school buildings, extensive equipment, thoroughly prepared teachers, supervisors and other school personnel, expertly constructed curriculums elaborate measurement techniques and well- organised and well-administrative programmes of guidance, all fail to achieve their respective purposes unless directed towards the improvement of physical, mental and emotional health of every child, adolescent or adult, who comes with their sphere of influence.”
A learner is a developing individual before his mental development takes place. We must ensure his physical development and a degree of physical fitness. The mastery of book material or skill is of no avail if the person who master, lives a physical work.
Thus, it clear that health education greatly helps the educational process in influencing the behaviour pattern of the pupils.
The health side of health education prepares the pupils physically to face the hardship of the educational process while its education side provides a basis, on which the whole educational set up can be built up very effectively.
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In the end, it can be said that the goal of health education in a school is to give pupils the tools with which their potential energies and social, physical, mental and emotional effectiveness can be fully realized.
Decisions and actions, based on the application of such tools, become more deeply satisfying and constructive.