Mind matters: Mental health of schoolchildren on govt radar

Education minister seeks suggestions to resolve challenges faced by students

PESHAWAR: Minister for Education Muhammad Atif Khan has said mental health issues faced by schoolchildren in the province are acute and need to be resolved on a priority basis.   

He was speaking at a health policy forum organised by Prime Institute of Public Health at Peshawar Medical College on Thursday. The meeting was also attended by doctors and experts, including Dr Najeebul Haq, Dr Ihsanul Haq, Dr Aqeel Raza and Dr Fazal Zeeshan. During the moot, experts emphasised the need to raise awareness among teachers about mental health problems faced by students.

“The government will spend Rs43 billion on the provision of missing facilities at 30,000 government schools to ensure a congenial environment for students,” he said.

He added suggestions to resolve mental health issues faced by schoolchildren will be welcomed. “They will be accommodated accordingly,” he added.

Building blocks

According to Atif Khan, education was a prerequisite for every society and determined the level of progress and prosperity in a country.

“Progress is not linked with mega projects or the construction of roads and buildings,” the education minister said. “On the contrary, education is the basis of development.”

He added the education system needs an overhaul as most appointments have been made through political interference.

Overhaul

The education minister drew attention to the new rule that all primary schools in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa should comprise six rooms and a play area. According to Muhammad Atif, the play area would be introduced in 5,000 existing schools in the first phase.

“A survey will be conducted to collect accurate data of children who are out of school,” he said. “This will increase enrolment at government schools.”

The minister said the government has earmarked Rs800 million to train government schoolteachers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2015.