CityweliveWhen Nisha began attending her new school, she quickly observed something unique. Twice a week, her classmates set aside their math and science textbooks for lessons focused on an equally crucial topic – their own health. These classes included everything from nutrition and hygiene to mental health and basic first aid, and they soon became her favourite part of the week.
What Nisha didn’t initially realise was that this minor change in her routine was actually part of a much broader initiative – one aimed at transforming the health outlook of India. In one city school, the morning assembly rings with the spirited voices of students as they chant their latest health mantra: “5-4-3-2-1-0: Countdown to a healthy life!” With guidance from their teachers, the students repeat these simple yet impactful steps like a catchy tune – consume five portions of fruits and vegetables, wash hands four times daily, include three servings of protein in their meals, restrict screen time to two hours, and take part in at least one hour of physical exercise.
This increasing focus on health education responds directly to a critical national issue. Millions across India still endure preventable diseases, and the country’s average life expectancy is 70 years—considerably lower than Japan’s 84. The gap becomes even more apparent when looking at ‘healthy life expectancy’—the number of years one lives free from chronic illness—which is just 60 years in India compared to 75 in Japan, according to experts.
To tackle this, a rising number of forward-thinking schools in India have embraced all-encompassing health education programmes designed to instill healthy habits from a young age. Studies back this approach, showing that children who learn about nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being early on are significantly less likely to face chronic health issues later in life.
Dr. Rahul Mehra, Founder and Chairman of the Tarang Health Alliance, which is leading the initiative, elaborates on the vision behind it. “When I was conducting research in New York hospitals, most of the focus was on curing diseases, not preventing them.
Our aim is prevention – to ensure no one gets ill. I focus on educating children so they never need to visit a hospital,” he explains. Currently active in around 30 schools across India, impacting close to 10,000 students, these programmes extend far beyond just physical health. They also incorporate modules on dental and vision care, reproductive education, environmental awareness, and crucially, mental wellness.
“We teach them about first aid and mental health – how to cope with stress, how to build confidence. We also cover social health – effective communication, respectful relationships, and the importance of avoiding bullying and aggression. It’s a long-term investment,” Mehra adds.
These programmes also highlight the significant influence parents have in nurturing healthy routines at home. Many schools now conduct awareness workshops for parents, broadening the initiative’s reach and strengthening the support network for students.
“Health education promotes overall development by embedding emotional, mental, and physical wellness into the academic curriculum. Since adopting this programme, our engagement with parents has greatly improved,” says Jyoti Arora, Principal of Mount Abu School, Rohini.
Sushil Malik, senior teacher at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT 5, Faridabad, echoes a similar sentiment. “It’s been a year since the programme started at our school, and we’ve noticed a clear improvement in the students’ well-being. They take part in various activities and learn about balanced diets and healthy living,” Malik notes.
As more institutions adopt this integrated, preventive approach to health, educators and experts aspire to ignite a lasting change—equipping future generations with the awareness and habits essential for leading longer, healthier lives.
