The Wife of the President, Ms. Elizabeta Gjorgievska, took part in the event “Towards global standards for health promoting schools – Results of pilot activities in four schools” in Skopje today, as a joint activity of the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of education and science.
At the event where the key findings of the initiative were presented, a comprehensive analysis of the health and well-being of students and the implementation of global standards for health promoting schools was made and discussed. In her opening address, Prof. Dr. Gjorgievska said that the initiative symbolizes a collective effort aimed at creating a better and more prosperous school environment and that the goal is to provide students not only with quality education, but also with tools and knowledge for leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
“Schools are the place where our children and young people acquire knowledge and education. Our goal and vision is that, in addition to the knowledge and skills provided in the curricula, schools should be a place where students will receive the basis for caring for and improving their health. After all, schools should be the place, which, among other things, will provide opportunities for building a healthy lifestyle for students. With this approach, we acknowledge and recognize the essential contribution of schools to the physical, mental and emotional development of our students”, Gjorgievska said.
Below is the full text of the address of the Wife of the President.
Dear Dr. Shaqiri, Minister of Education and Science,
Dear Dr. Johansen, WHO Special Representative,
Dear guests,
Dear friends,
I have particular pleasure and honor to take part in today’s event where the results and achievements made during the implementation of the initiative “Health Promoting Schools” will be presented. Let me first express gratitude to all of you who were involved in the implementation of this initiative. Your commitment to the health and development of our youth is commendable, and the results of the initiative for which we are gathered today are a confirmation of the commitment of our teachers, parents and students themselves.
The initiative itself symbolizes a collective effort aimed at creating a better and more prosperous school environment. The goal is to provide students not only with quality education, but also with tools and knowledge for leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
Schools are the place where our children and youth acquire knowledge and education. Our goal and vision is that, in addition to the knowledge and skills provided in the curricula, schools should be a place where students will receive the basis for caring for and improving their health. Indeed, schools should be the place, which, among other things, will provide opportunities for building a healthy lifestyle for students. With this approach, we acknowledge and recognize the essential contribution of schools to the physical, mental and emotional development of our students.
Ladies and gentlemen,
While we present the achievements of this initiative, we are also focused on the future and the next steps. The success and lessons learned in this phase will be a roadmap for the creation of schools that essentially contribute to the promotion of health as a top priority of our society. Together we can contribute to making every school a place where our young people can grow, learn and thrive in a safe environment. I look forward to receiving your impressions and thoughts that will shape future steps in this serious process.
Finally, let me once again thank everyone involved for their motivation and commitment to creating a better school environment for our students.
Let’s continue to work together in partnership for the welfare of our youth and the whole nation in general.
Thank you.
