Activists want School Health Policy law enacted after 19-year wait

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged government to consider finalizing and launching the School Health Policy, saying it has been on the shelves for the last 18 years.
Ms Annah Kukundakwe, an official from Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), revealed that more than ever, the Education ministry has shown great leadership towards the policy. The policy is now awaiting for certificate of financial implication from the Finance ministry and Regulatory Impact Assessment which are key requirements before the policy is presented before Cabinet.

She explained that once the issue of certificate, development of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) are finalized, the Policy will be ready to be presented to Cabinet.
“The process of drafting this policy was initiated when I was in primary four and up to date, I am now out of university and doing advocacy around the same policy,” Ms Kukundakwe lamented on Friday during a capacity building training on policy development process in Uganda, held in Kampala.

The CSOs now want government to finalize the School Health Policy inclusive of sexual reproductive health and rights by 2020.
Once passed, the policy is expected to make it possible for every learner to access relevant health services, information, knowledge and skills that are appropriate for their age, gender, culture, language and context, among others.
The policy also once passed will also provide for guidelines on how to manage cases of pregnant school girls, address issues of menstrual health, mental health and obesity in schools.
The Education ministry has to ensure that schools and learning institutions are prepared and in position to implement the policy once passed.

Prof. Robert Basaza, who was the lead facilitator at the capacity building workshop, urged CSOs to identify a champion who will push the passing of this policy.
During plenary session, some of the participants decried of how government only prioritizes passing of political laws and legislations into law within a shortest time possible like the age limit Bill which is now an Act within a period of less than one year from the time it was tabled in Parliament.
Prof. Basaza said some policies fail because of lack of commitment of leadership and political will by those drafting it.