Strengthening School-Based Health, Education and Nutrition Systems

Strengthening School-based Systems is a 4-year programme between MIET AFRICA, UNICEF, the Department of Basic Education, and Departments of Education in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, as well as the Departments of Health and Social Development. The programme commenced on 1 October 2018 and will run until 30 September 2022. It is funded by UNICEF.

The main aim of the programme is to improve the learning outcomes and overcome marginalization and exclusion of learners. To this end, it focuses on areas that present barriers to education, specifically sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and nutrition. The activities and outputs that are implemented fall within the following Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) focus areas: A rights-based and socially inclusive and cohesive school; infrastructure, water and sanitation; curriculum support; safety and protection; health promotion.

The outputs or objectives of the programme are:

Output 1: Contribute to increased awareness of risks and prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy through comprehensive sexuality education and access to SRHR services in schools. (Secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng)

Output 2: Contribute to girls in Intermediate Phase having increased knowledge and skills on menstrual health management through promotion of menstrual hygiene in schools. (Primary schools—national)

Output 3: To contribute, through system-strengthening activities, to improved child health, education and nutrition outcomes in Quintile1–3 primary school learners by addressing the capacity gaps of volunteer food handlers and empowerment of learners and schools on WASH. (Primary schools—Gauteng)