Last July 16, 2018, at Pembo Elementary School in Makati City, Philippines, the Department of Education launched Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd (Oplan Health in DepEd), its school health flagship program. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) is included as one of the five major programs under OK sa DepEd along with the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), National Drug Education Program (NDEP), Adolescent Reproductive Health Education (ARH) and medical, nursing and dental services.

The event brought together key DepEd officials including Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua, Undersecretary for Finance-Budget Performance and Monitoring Annalyn M. Sevilla, Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff Nepomuceno A. Malaluan, and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Service and Alternative Learning System G.H. S. Ambat.

The five major programs of OK sa DepEd were featured through caravans, forums, booths, and advocacy and social mobilization activities. As part of the event, DepEd Secretary Briones went through each booth and, together with students, washed hands using the WASHaLOT 3.0, a GIZ-designed washing facility.

GIZ has been supporting the Philippine Department of Education’s School Health Division of the Bureau of Learner Support Services with the implementation of the WASH in Schools program. GIZ supported the event by contributing materials to the WASH in Schools booth and showcasing the WASHaLOT 3.0.

The DepEd press release on OK sa DepEd launch may be viewed here: http://www.deped.gov.ph/2018/07/16/ok-sa-deped-converges-health-programs-towards-social-development/

The DepEd Order on OK sa DepEd may be seen here: http://www.deped.gov.ph/2018/07/06/do-28-s-2018-policy-and-guidelines-on-oplan-kalusugan-sa-department-of-education/

 

Photo credits to the Philippine Department of Education