Public schools get ready for SARS, other health woes

There will be a new subject for public school students when classes resume on June 16.

For the first two to three days of the 2003-2004 schoolyear, school principals and teachers will hold intensive lectures on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) prevention and other serious health problems usually encountered by elementary and high school students such as kuto (lice) infestation or pediculosis, otitis media or luga, which causes hearing problems, dental carries (tartar and tooth plaque), dengue fever and malnutrition, among others.

The health lecture is a joint effort of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) to educate public school students on SARS and other health issues.

The DepEd estimates that there will be 17 million public school pupils returning to school on June 16.

In a joint press briefing the other day, Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus and Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit both declared that the public school system is all set for the opening of classes, especially with regards to SARS prevention measures.

The SARS epidemic has forced countries like China and Canada to close several schools and suspend classes in a bid to stop the spread of the deadly disease.

Some 250 school doctors and nurses underwent a two-day training under the supervision of DOH specialists. The school physicians then oriented more than 400,000 public school principals and teachers who, in turn, will conduct lectures for their respective classes.

The DepEd and the DOH have also prepared materials dealing with SARS and other "notorious" health problems like pediculosis, otitis media, dental carries, malnutrition, intestinal parasitism, skin diseases, dengue fever and tuberculosis to help teachers and principals in their intensive public health education lectures.

The DepEd earlier had recognized the need for more effective disease prevention measures and proper health education, especially in public schools where students are usually malnourished or underweight.

"After going through all these activities, we feel confident that we have exercised enough due diligence and we have prepared our school officials to deal with SARS suspects in their respective schools," Dayrit said.

De Jesus, for his part, said they will be coordinating very closely with the DOH in case SARS suspects turn up in public schools.

However, he stressed that although he has the authority to close a school because of a SARS case, it will only be done upon the recommendation of the DOH.