Let’s plan a ‘healthy’ school year

CAPTAINS CORNER BY CAPTAIN MAHMOOD AL MAHMOOD

Midway through August is always the time we begin to see the ‘Back To School’ sale banners in shops. Although schools open only by September first week, there are lot of things needed to prep for the new academic term.

New books to be bought and covered in protective brown paper, new stationery, new computers in many cases, as children graduate to higher classes where they get to work more on laptops.

On top of this we have school fees and transportation fees for school buses if your child goes to a private school or uses private transport.

All in all, it is an expensive time for families, especially when more than one child is to be equipped for the school year.

In all this commercial flurry, I believe that we are missing out on two very important matters to make sure our children are fully ready for school: that is, a full check on their mental and physical health.

Now I know parents will wonder why they should put their child through such tests, especially when the y seem healthy.

But one of the main causes of being unable to perform brightly in class are weak eye - sight and hearing. Further, so many very intelligent students find school overwhelming because of problems processing the knowledge.

They may need special help because of dyslexia or may be on the spectrum of autism – all these can be identified and parents and teachers can use new and tested methods to help these students.

He r e a r e two messages: first, the authorities in the health and education ministries must mandate annual health checks for all students.

If executives can have this covered by their corporations, why not children who are our Kingdom’s future? Health centres must be equipped to conduct a package of children’s tests: eyes, ears, dental and basic physical plus blood test for anemia and sickle cell on a case-by-case basis.

In addition, let the children meet a mental wellness counsellor and get equipped for the stress of school life with bullies and peer pressure to handle.

And parents, this is for you: in your enthusiasm to buy new laptops and books for the kids, do not ignore their health. Grades may rise and fall but health is everything.