The Kozhikode deputy director of education, in collaboration with social enterprise CoolCoach, has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘School Health Programme.’ It aims to get 10,000 children in 25 government schools across the city fit and active by educating and instilling healthy habits through fitness and sport during PE classes.
The programme is scheduled to begin in October. It intends to reach 50,000 children in 100 schools across India. The CoolCoach is an inclusive programme designed to improve fitness levels by focusing on fitness habits of children from a young age – particularly those from under-resourced communities.
Goal to instil in children the habits and knowledge
The long-term goal is to instil in children the habits and knowledge required to live a healthy and active lifestyle into adulthood, thereby lowering the risks and financial burden of NCDs in the future. The programme will be delivered by fitness coaches who have been hand-picked, trained, and monitored by the organisation.
“In 2018, a study reported that only 15 per cent of children and youth in India met minimum fitness standards. In addition, India has the second-highest child obesity rate in the world. This directly speaks to the growing long-term non-communicable disease (NCD) burden that stems from childhood physical inactivity. Children’s playtime and fitness activities also took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic,” it added.
At the launch, Manoj Kumar, Deputy Director of Education, Kozhikode said, “Students are finally returning to schools and I am delighted to play a part in launching the School Health Program that will potentially enhance their overall learning experience. I am also keen on witnessing the contributions of this program by CoolCoach in building brighter and healthier futures for them.”
Access to quality education and fitness among children
The programme aligns also with government initiatives such as the FIT INDIA movement by the ministry of youth affairs and sports to integrate fitness as an integral part of developing a physically active lifestyle. “As a growing social enterprise, this partnership with the local government in Kozhikode comes at a critical juncture as we now combine our efforts to scale the benefits of fitness coaching to children nationwide. It sends a message that such collaborations can go a long way in accelerating access to quality education and fitness among children”, added Suraj Sudhakar, Founder and CEO of CoolCoach.
