The entire public, including health and education staff as well as students’ parents, should participate in the implementation of school health promotion programmes, said President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to mark the School Health Week (Central Level) movement for the 2026-27 academic year.
At the commemorative ceremony held at the Myanmar International Convention Centre 1 (MICC I) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, the President noted that School Health Week activities are regularly conducted nationwide every year during the second week of August. Similarly, the “Nutrition Development Week for Children Under Five and Schoolchildren and Youth” is also conducted annually during the second week of August at the same time. The President explained that the activities contribute to the identification of nutritional deficiencies, obesity and growth and development problems among students at an early stage, and parents, teachers and health workers can work together to provide appropriate healthcare.
ThePresident stressed the need to provide adequate nutrition and proper care throughout the “First 1,000 Days of Life”, from birth through the child’s first two years of life. During this period, the Department of Social Welfare, in cooperation with the Department of Public Health, is implementing a Maternal and Child Cash Transfer (MCCT) programme in priority areas of seven regions and states to provide financial assistance to ensure adequate nutrition for pregnant women and children.
Furthermore, he continued that it is necessary to accelerate health monitoring and care services at pre-schools in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare.
The President underlined that emphasis must be placed on ensuring that school-age children receive adequate nutrition and on organizing sports competitions to promote the health, physical fitness and all-round development of students and youth.
In implementing school health care services, the President stated that individual health examination record cards for students have been maintained starting from KG in the 2022-2023 academic year. This initiative needs to cover not only primary school children but also adolescents. Starting from this academic year, efforts must be made with emphasis on ensuring continuous coverage up to Grade 12.
The President unveiled that funds are being allocated to the Ministry of Health for the provision of school-based nutrition programmes. In the 2026-2027 academic year, K2.82 billion was initially allocated for this purpose, and the allocation will be increased further.
He outlined that as all schools have been designated as smokefree schools, the sale and advertising of cigarettes and tobacco products within 100 feet of school premises are prohibited by law.
The President urged all to strive to implement school health activities and health-promoting school programmes more effectively than before, with emphasis placed on nurturing healthy, physically fit and well-rounded young people who will become the nation’s future sons and daughters of great merit.
Following this, the President presented outstanding awards for school health activities to school heads of relevant schools. Vice-Presidents U Nyo Saw and Nan Ni Ni Aye also awarded the outstanding schools.
Also present at the ceremony were Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Yi, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo, Union ministers and Union-level dignitaries.
The President and State dignitaries visited the exhibition displaying documentary photos on school health week activities at the national level in the 2026-27 academic year.
After the ceremony, the President and party viewed round meals prepared by teachers and parents for the school nutrition programme at Zabuthiri BEHS No 6, and activities of providing nutritious meals to KG students.
ThePresident, Vice-Presidents and party administered deworming medicine and iron supplements to the students according to their respective age and gender groups.
They also observed activities of the school health programme such as the participation of primary students in the school cleanliness movement, the demonstration on proper handwashing and toothbrushing techniques, the discussions on the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol, beverages and vape, school health quiz, general health examination for students, and dental and oral healthcare measures.
MNA/TTA
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