1. Preparation for the day
After the warm welcomes of all participants and a short review of the previous day, the second meeting started with the presentation of the agenda and the planning of the day's activities. One focus of the day was to be the panel discussion with Dr. Andrej Steyer, the mayor of the municipality of Apače, on the topic of "Municipal programs to support children's health and cooperation with schools". Other topics included the exchange of information’s about health education in the individual countries as well as the work in working groups and further agreements about the design and continuation of the Erasmus project.
2. The Mayor of the Municipality of Apače, Dr. Andrej Steyer talking about health education in Apache
Before Dr. Andrej Steyer began his presentation, Violeta Kardinar, the headmistress of the host school Osnovna šola Apače, opened the agenda with an introductory report about the topic. In her presentation, Violeta Kardinar explained that today's children have to spend long hours sitting both at school and at home and that this development has a detrimental effect on a child's growing up. Mrs. Kardinar also gave detailed examples about how Slovenia and Slovenian schools take care of pupils' health. For Mrs. Kardinar, a healthy diet is the key to children's health. She also described how Slovenian pupils are provided with regional and healthy products at school. In an appeal, the headmistress invited teachers of all subjects to include movement in their lesson planning and to design classrooms and schoolyards in a way that encourages pupils to move and be active. Especially the learning environment can consciously promote movement - she gives high priority to learning places outside the classroom. The headmistress also sees regular airing as a health-promoting aspect. During her presentation, it also became clear that there are all kinds of cooperations between schools and other state institutions that are intended to support and improve pupil health in Slovenia. Mrs. Kardinar explained the Slovenian network "School-Health" and talked about concrete preventive measures, such as dental examinations at schools.
Dr. Andrej Steyer, the mayor of the municipality of Apače, then spoke about the health challenges in his municipality. He emphasized that it is currently difficult to make a statement about current health developments in the municipality of Apače because of Covid. In general, he believes that Apače is well positioned in the healthcare sector. He stated that Slovenia - like the whole of Europe - is struggling with serious health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic diseases. Dr. Steyer also noted the unhealthy lifestyle of many young people.
Especially about the youth, he explained that exercise is essential, and the younger generation needs to be educated for a healthier lifestyle. But also, special programs to improve the lives of older people should be present in a commune.
In terms of all health policies, Dr. Steyer believes that Apače has a limited influence and, like many border regions, needs more government support. Locally, Apače would like to start making its citizens aware of healthier lifestyles. Prevention is the keyword. According to Dr. Steyer, the focus should also be on healthier eating habits. Especially the use of local and organic high-quality products is relevant to this aspect. In the long term, the city of Apače wants to invest in sports facilities and recreational programs for the whole population. Especially because sport and exercising are very important for children as well as for older people.
To protect the environment, the city will increase the number of cycle paths and continue to promote high-quality drinking water and local organic farming. Apače has already put huge investments in infrastructures to improve the environment and people's lifestyle.
Regarding the common work of the Apače Municipality and the schools, Dr. Steyer strongly believes that adults need to be role models. As an example, he mentioned the "Health Day" of Apače Municipality, which involves all schools, the Municipality, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. This year, the schools are participating in a project with the Institute for Nature Conservation. Dr. Steyer believes that further activities need to be planned together to raise children's awareness of the importance of living in harmony with nature and health.
3rd Round Table
After the presentations by Mrs. Kardinar and Dr. Steyer, a discussion took place between the participants. The focus was on the experiences and practices of the schools about the topic of "health and school". The coordinators from the different nations reported about their countries and their thoughts on health education, for example in relation to the physical, mental and social condition of pupils as well as on changing eating habits and promoting a healthy lifestyle. All participants gave comprehensive references to the measures being taken in their countries. It was clear from the contributions that all partner countries and schools have the same problems, but the ways of dealing with them vary from country to country - sometimes even from school to school.
Most partner countries promote physical activity specifically in physical education. Many schools also organize health days to raise awareness of health issues among the school community. There are some differences in the cooperation between schools and medical staff in the European countries. In Slovenia, Hungary, and Lithuania there is active cooperation between schools and medical staff. In Greece, Portugal and Germany, parents have a greater responsibility regarding the health of their children.
The schools in Slovenia, Lithuania, Hungary, and Portugal even have a salaried psychologist and, in some cases, a specialized doctor or nurse on staff. However, the services provided by the medical staff vary.
The situation with school meals also varies from country to country. Slovenia, Hungary, and Lithuania take the healthy nutrition of their children very seriously and offer fresh, high-quality food in their school canteens, usually prepared with local products. Children have two or three meals at school and receive free fruit because of partnerships between schools and local businesses. On the other hand, in Germany and Portugal everything depends on the school and its initiative. Despite the differences, it also became clear from all the contributions that health education is close to the schools' and that teachers try to have an active role in it. In some cases, their activities are facilitated by the education system, in other cases, more personal involvement of schools and teachers is needed.
The participants in the plenary agreed that parents play a central role in children's health education and that schools cannot be solely responsible. It became clear that every school must find a balance between overprotective parents and absent parents.
3.1 Presentation of health prevention in individual countries
Renata Jakič, the project coordinator, opened the round in which the partner schools had to present their health concepts.
Germany: Health prevention is mainly in the hands of the parents. Preventive check-ups for children are compulsory and are done by pediatricians. Examinations are done before school enrolment. In kindergarten and primary school there are informative events on healthy nutrition and dental health, partly by specialized staff. All-day schools are promoted in Germany. In these schools, a healthy lunch is offered and there are more sports lessons (3 per week). In addition, there are regular swimming lessons already in primary school. However, the implementation of the lunch is up to the respective school and is implemented individually. Some schools get the food delivered and only heat it up, other schools cook themselves with regional and organic food. The pupils can choose from several dishes, there is always a vegetarian option and often without pork (for Muslim children). The food has to be paid by the parents, but there is the possibility for state subsidies for families with low assets. Healthy eating is included in the biology curriculum and primary schools practice so-called "sugar-free mornings", which focuses on healthy breakfasts and dental health.
Portugal: In secondary schools in Portugal (7th-12th grade), there are several programs for students' health; most are supported by the Ministries of Health and Education but managed locally. The program "Education for Health" includes different contents. For example, every year a team of doctors and nurses draws up a plan with teachers from the school about the needs of the students. Dental hygiene is always a focus. Every year a nurse comes to the 7th classes and tests the dental health of the students. For this, the students from a particular grade get a "dental check". Every year there is also an eye exam for a grade, so every student has had their eyes tested at least once during their school life; the same is done for hearing. If it is necessary, a nurse also comes to the school and gives information’s about healthy eating or about sex education. These topics are covered in different school subjects, but the students take them more seriously when someone external talks about them. The cooperation between the health centre and the schools are very close. If a teacher identifies a health problem of a pupil, that pupil is treated by a doctor at the health centre or hospital as soon as possible. Every student is tested twice a year for fitness. In the time between, teachers ensure that the students' fitness parameters are correct. Students have 2 or 3 hours of physical education per week, depending on the grade. There is also a national program from the Ministry of Education. The school registers its interest and participates. Similarly, competitions are organized between schools at regional and national level. The sports teachers see this as another way to activate the young people.
Hungary: In Hungary, several schools have a nurse together. She and the doctor examine the pupils every year. They check the eyesight, hearing, body measurements and blood pressure. If they diagnose something, teachers and parents are informed, and specialists are involved in the treatment. The school nurse also holds lessons in each class if the class leaders ask her for it. Then she informs about topics such as healthy eating, drugs, proper personal hygiene and shows videos that are discussed in the lesson. She also talks to the pupils about sexuality. For this purpose, she uses some class leader or biology lessons. In the whole state of Hungary there is a so-called "health day" every year, which must be organized in every school. On this day, the school also invites different experts and doctors for discussion and the pupils are trained: for example, resuscitation, dressing wounds and herbal medicine. At the partner school in Siklos, the pupils eat a packed lunch that they take from home. Not everyone eats the school lunch because the quality is not always optimal. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., pupils can have lunch. At 3 p.m. there is the possibility to have a snack. For the school canteen, the children must pay 2-3 euros per day for the meal. The school is currently in partnership with a limited company which, through government funding, aims to provide fruit, vegetables, and fruit juice every week - free of charge for the children. In Siklós, a German self-government has been active for many years. It supports the German-language programs of the partner schools financially. This can be used, for example, to buy craft materials or to invite German-speaking actors to the schools.
Slovenia: In Slovenia, many children have speech disorders, weight problems and damage to their posture. Slovenia already has a national program for a long time that regularly checks the health of the pupils. Schools need to take preventive action. Physical activity time in class and the organization of a health-promoting school day should bring positive results for pupil health. The furniture and the design of the playgrounds should also always include the aspect of physical activity. In cooperation with the local health centres, the schools share the responsibility for the health education of the children in support of their physical, emotional, and social state of health. In this way, Osnovna šola Apače is part of the "Healthy School" network. For healthy nutrition, the school's canteen prepares three meals for the pupils and staff every day. They are prepared only with fresh products from local businesses. In the following meetings, the Slovenian school would also like to present its health program to the project partners.
Lithuania: Kristina Velyvienek described that the Lithuanian schools have similar problems as the other schools in the project. She stated that Lithuania is very serious about health education of pupils and prioritizes it to a high degree. Every pupil must have a health check once a year by a doctor, usually the general doctor and a dentist. Every second week, a public health specialist visits the school. Within these visits, meals are checked, and examinations are offered. Preventive measures are also supported by the doctors and implemented by them. High-quality meals are offered at all Lithuanian schools. Kristina Velyvienek's school has a partnership with a local company that provides free fruit and vegetables to the school canteen. The sale of unhealthy food and drinks is banned in the school. In the future, Lithuania will also have a 3rd PE lesson per week. Schools are also encouraged to participate in health promotion programs. Elements of exercise in the classroom have a major role in Lithuania. To keep and stabilize mental health, most schools have a social pedagogue and a psychologist on staff.
Greece: Penelopi Diamantakou from Greece reported that her country is quite different from the health education of the other European countries. There is cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, but health education is mainly based on awareness of health issues, but not on active projects or activities. Experts only advise classes about certain topics. The main role in health education is given to the family. A school psychologist visited the school every second week during the Corona period. This was a step in the right direction, but not yet a well-developed health concept.
3.2 Exchange about current problems
In general, the participants agreed that health education should start at home and not at school. Corona in particular showed that the nutrition at home was often not the best and that the students also had a lack of exercise. Across all countries, it was noted that there are parents who care and provide exercise and healthy eating. These parents also keep good contact with the school. On the other hand, there are parents who do not care and who are also very difficult to reach. Children from these families may benefit from eating healthy food at school and being educated about healthy eating. Kristina Velyvienek reported in the meeting that the parents in Lithuania are often encouraged to get involved in schools through school events. Steffen Kraft stated that the commitment of parents is generally very different. There are the very caring parents who are always involved in the school day and the parents who are very difficult to reach. Some parents are very health-conscious and provide the children with healthy balanced food, other parents neglect their children in terms of healthy nutrition. Steffen Kraft thinks that all-day schools can play a role in health education. It could give students access to healthy food, sports, and activities. Penelopi Diamantakou reported that in her school in Greece, parental participation is not encouraged. The only exception is when students organize project days at school. Monika Horváth from Hungary said that parental involvement at her school varies a lot. While some would participate in the "Health Day" program, others would not participate at all. Isabel Lopes reports that parents are not directly involved in activities at her school. The school tries to bring the families in contact with health issues via the pupils. All participants agree that health education should have an important role in the design of a school day.
4. Work in groups
A fixed item in the agenda was the work of the participants in different working groups. The participants worked in their groups for one hour on various documents and the planning of the project. For example, the groups worked on bilingual reports about the individual project days. The revision of the evaluation form and a photo album were also on the agenda of the working groups.
In plenary, the project participants agreed on the final version of the evaluation sheet. The sheet will be available for editing for one week.
5. Planning of the further work
In the last topic of the day, a list of project documents was reviewed, and agreements were made on how to work on each document. All schools agreed to report about the two-day meeting in their school communities.
Afterwards, all participants discussed the problems caused by Covid, which could potentially affect the mobilities of the project. Some schools were concerned that neither school authorities nor parents would be willing to let students travel or host exchange students soon. As an alternative, they discussed staying in youth hostels. It was decided to make different plans also in view of the Covid developments.
Renata Jakič thanked all participants for their contributions to the meeting and to the project in general, for their energy and attention. Despite the language barrier for some, everyone tried to participate, which has a positive impact on the project. The first meeting ended with a group photo and the hope for a face-to-face meeting in Almada next March.