Wellness Campus Program of Itlugan Elementary School: Its Impact to School and Community

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In partnership with the Department of Education and Nestle Philippines Inc., Wellness Campus Program reaches another milestone with the implementation of the nutrition education modules in the Department of Education schools. All public elementary and secondary schools implement the modules and dancercise activities. This action research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Wellness Campus Program of Itlugan Elementary School, Rosario West District, Batangas Province, and to determine its impact to school and community.

METHODS

The researcher used the descriptive type of research, where a validated questionnaire was the main data gathering instrument. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: the pupils' response about the nutrition modules, teacher implementation and integration of nutrition modules to different subject areas, and the parents' involvement and participation to the program. The random sampling method was used to identify the respondents of the study. To interpret the data, the researcher employed percentage,weighted mean, and frequency.

RESULTS

The result of the study revealed that the pupils perceived the Wellness Program as a way to maintain their normal body weight through regular exercise and eating nutritious food. Nutrition modules gave pupils knowledge on living a healthy life through proper rest, eating nutritious food, and exercising regularly. Pupils find enjoyment and contentment during the implementation of the program. For parents, it served as a way to meet and gain more friends not just only in school but in the community. The program gave the parent awareness on the importance of having a healthy life considering their ages and status in life. It awakened their mind on the value of being physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially healthy individual of the community. The program adds knowledge to teachers on having healthy habits and promote this to pupils and community.

DISCUSSIONS

The findings revealed that the implementation of the Wellness Campus Program developed the pupils’ healthierhabits through nutrition education and physical fitness and broadened the teachers’ knowledge in implementing the program using the best practices and opportunity for the parents to maintain and improve their health and wellness habits at home. The mutualand healthy relationship between the school and community and benefits gained after the implementation was the greatest impact of the program. An action plan to sustain the Wellness Campus Program was developed and continuously implemented.