Srinagar, Feb 1: Tarang Health Alliance and SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre have partnered to introduce structured school-based health education in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to integrate health and education for stronger human development.
Speaking at a webinar, Dr Rahul Mehra, UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education’s India Representative, highlighted that poor health in childhood undermines learning, citing high rates of anaemia among women and stunting in children. He stressed that school health education complements national programmes like Anaemia Mukt Bharat and Mission Poshan 2.0 by fostering daily healthy habits.
Dr Mehra also pointed to rising lifestyle-related risks, including elevated triglyceride levels in over 50% of children aged 5–9, emphasizing the need for nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being education from a young age.
The initiative will provide structured textbooks, teacher training, and parental engagement, drawing on successful global models from Finland and Japan. Officials said integrating health education in schools is a strategic step toward a healthier, more productive future generation in J&K.