National School Health and Nutrition Strategy

Abstract

School-age children in Ethiopia are affected by a wide range of health- and nutrition-related problems that constrain their ability to thrive and benefit from education. Some of the common health-related problems being parasitic infections, malaria, anaemia, trachoma, skin diseases, disabilities, injuries, sexual and reproductive ill-health, and psychosocial and substance abuse. Some of the common nutrition-related problems being inadequate food consumption and associated levels of malnutrition as well as iodine and vitamin A deficiency, in most of the Ethiopian regions. Furthermore, there are low awareness levels on the effect of poor health and nutrition on children’s ability to learn. From a policy and strategy perspective, there is lack of ownership and coordination as well as ineffective utilization of resources due to different standards being applied by different organizations on the delivery of comprehensive school health and nutrition (SHN) interventions.