Incorporating health and well-being into education policy and planning is crucial for education to become transformative. Many countries acknowledge the links between health, nutrition, well-being and education, but few approach their integration in a comprehensive way. This handbook is the first comprehensive resource providing guidance on integrating health and well-being into education sector planning. It emphasizes the physical health, mental health, nutrition and overall well-being of all learners while promoting the creation of safe, inclusive and health-promoting school environments. Drawing on existing evidence and tools, it provides a framework for understanding the importance of health and well-being in education and offers practical guidance on incorporating them into education sector analysis, policy development, programme design, costing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Designed for technical staff working within ministries of education and other stakeholders, including development partners, this handbook is a practical tool helping to ensure that health and well-being are not an afterthought, but a core component of transformative education. This handbook provides practical steps for planning and implementing effective and sustainable measures to improve the health and well-being of learners.