Hong Kong Healthy Schools
The student health survey conducted on the 15 awardee schools revealed that after the schools had joined the Scheme for one year, fewer students had depressive symptoms, feeling hopeless, suicidal ideas, and self-harm behaviour. Regarding the bullying problem among students, lower proportion of students felt unsafe, being threatened in schools and had property being stolen or damaged. Regarding the eating habits of the students, lower proportion of students ate crisps and sweets after the awardee primary schools had joined the Scheme for one year. However, the findings indicated that the students' eating habit could only be improved after the awardee secondary schools had joined the Scheme for two years. For details, please refer to the appendix. On the other hand, the study of the 30 schools that have undergone school audit demonstrated that the improvement of the student health risk behaviours was found to be associated with a number of factors. The mental health of students was correlated with schools which have been supporting community activities, and services, creating social environment of friendless, care and trust in schools, and developing a system to facilitate students with special needs in a linear trend. Students, studying in schools which have taken a positive approach in these aspects, were less likely to have depression symptoms, feel hopeless, mildly hurt themselves, consider suicide and with higher life satisfaction score. Students, studying in schools which have taken a positive approach in these aspects, were more unlikely to carry weapon to school, be threatened by someone, with property being stolen or damaged by someone, and involve in fighting. It is also revealed that students' eating habit were correlated with schools which have better reinforcement of their healthy eating policies in a liner trend. The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion launched the first health promoting schools programme, "Hong Kong Healthy Schools Award Scheme" in 2001. There are now 98 schools joining the Award Scheme. Together with the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) as the awarding bodies, 12 schools have been presented an award last year. This year, a total of 15 schools will be presented "Hong Kong Healthy Schools Award" including 9 Silver and 6 Bronze. The Scheme also has the endorsement of WHO/WPRO (World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office) in meeting the WHO standards. Mr. Yip Yam-wing, Stephen, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Life-wide Learning), Education and Manpower Bureau, said, "The development of a healthy lifestyle is one of the seven key learning goals in the curriculum reform. Students can develop a healthy lifestyle not only by learning from the formal curriculum, but also through a life-wide learning approach. The Hong Kong Healthy Schools Award Scheme provides a well-structured framework for the development of health promoting schools. It embodies a holistic, whole school approach that enables students to cultivate positive values towards life and develop a healthy living style." Professor Albert Lee, Director of Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion congratulated the awardees for their outstanding achievement, "Schools is a prime setting to develop students' healthy behaviours and lifestyle. The study demonstrated that it is more effective to establish healthy living style when students are young than changing students' bad living habit after it has set in their minds. The Centre will continue its efforts in promoting health and the creation of a healthy living environment for our next generation in hands with schools, families and members of the society." The award presentation ceremony is scheduled later on this year.
Mental Health Primary
schools (Schools = 7; No. of students: 820)
Secondary
schools (Schools = 8; No. of students: 2661)
Bullying Primary
schools (Schools = 7; No. of students: 820)
Secondary
schools (Schools = 8; No. of students: 2661)
Primary
schools (Schools = 7; No. of students: 820)
Secondary
schools (Schools = 4 ; No. of students: 599)
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