Why Health Education should be a compulsory subject in Secondary Schools.

This question will be addressed after I briefly share how I ended up being an health educator.

I am privileged to know about health education benefits after my undergraduates days. And, I took the initiative to choose health education for my postgraduate studies. Some were against it, mocked it, discouraged it because they think it's not a popular career path. At some point, they reminded me that health education was just a subject in primary school and not valuable to spend 18 months to thoroughly study. They made their opinions but I made mine.

I remember back in primary school,I loved the subject: physical health education (PHE), where practical classes included was mostly exercises and games. I did averagely well in the practical classes. But excelled more in the theoretical aspect. Why?

This is because I am curious about my health. And, will first keep in mind education given about my health.

Though in those days it was mostly physical health education (PHE). But now, changes has been made by fully separating the practical and theorerical aspect. Today, we have it referred to as Human kinetics and health education.

Some schools, referred to the human kinetic as sport and teach health education as a subject in the primary classes. While some schools who are yet to be aware of the changes, still have PHE as a subject which includes practical and theorerical aspect.

On getting to secondary school, I couldn't find health education as a subject. So, I took interest in Biology and Chemistry. This led to my choice of Biochemistry in the university, after I couldn't meet the cut off for medicine. After graduation, I couldn't get a befitting job as a biochemist. Then, I decided to further my study for better job opportunities and more knowledge. I wanted to learn something different that will bring my biochemistry knowledge and health interest together. Then, the suggestion of health education came during my postgraduate application. After my findings, deliberations, reflection and trusted counsels. I took the initiative and applied for Masters in health education. It's a decision I am glad to make today because this course is an eye opener to many things that I have started doing,such as founding My Favourite Health Educator group and will still do,such as owning an NGO that will focus on health support...

This question put out was asked and answered my professor in the department of health education, few months ago this year.

Today, I will answer it based on my experience and knowledge.

First, let's all reason why PHE/Health Education was taught in Primary school.

To my opinion, it was taught because it is an avenue to be enlightened about how to care for our body and improve on our health. Some can say but our parents will care for us. These parents are busy hustling or working to give us an affordable life, they might be neligent or not fully educate us on matters on our health, as regularly expected. Since, we spend most of the time at school, it is an opportunity for us to be educated and reminded on our health and wellbeing, so we can exhibit attitude that will promote good health at that tender age.

But as soon as we leave primary school into the secondary school, this subject is kept under the carpet and no longer recommended or compulsory.

This is why most secondary school students are victims of drug abuse or have several health issues. They have forgotten about the health education once taught in primary school since it wasn't incorporated in the curriculum in the secondary, talkless of making it a compulsory course.

Thus, secondary schools should endeavors to make health education a compulsory subject for students in JSS-SSS Classes. Since, there is need to continuously learn about our health,so we can make healthy choices that will lead to good health.

Governments and organizations, including school managements should enforce the continuous teaching of health education in all levels, especially extending the teaching of health education to the secondary classes...

If you have any contribution, kindly send to myfavouritehealtheducator@gmail.com.