Introduction
Education has been regarded as the tool for achieving desirable change, and the curriculum as the
instrument of the delivery of educational goals and objectives (Gbamanja, 1997). Orji (2004)
recongnzed the necessity for an appropriate and functional curriculum for the achievements of
meaningful and sustainable development. He noted that a functional education is crucial for human
capacity development, wealth creation, employment generation and re-orientation. The products of
such education are yet to be effective and functional citizens who are self reliant, confident, competent
and globally competitive. The Nigerian educational system has experienced series of reforms tailored
towards achieving national and global development goals.
The national policy on education (federal republic of Nigeria, 2004) stipulated the aims/ goals of
eduction as building: a united, strong and self _reliant nation: and a great and dynamic ecnomy: a just
and egalitarian society , a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens, and , a free and democratic
society. These goal, along with the united nations education for all (EFA) AND MILLENNIUM
development goals(MDGs) have been top on the nations education agenda , informing various
administrators reforms and strategies in education.
The federal ministry of education has the overall responsibility of formulating policy and guidelines
for standards in Nigerian education. Federal , state and local governments and other stake holders work
together to give direction to the sector (education is on the concurrent legislative list).
The term curriculum
The term curriculum refers to the lessons and academic content taught in a school or in a specific
course or program.
What is the secondary school curriculum?
The vast majority of secondary schools follow the national curriculum, the programme of study
set by the government. However , academies and free schools are free to choose their own
curriculum. Despite this, in reality most do not.
what is health education curriculum?
Health education curriculum, is a planned, sequential, K-12 curriculum that addresses the
physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health. The curriculum is designed to
motivate and assist students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and reduce
health-related risk behaviors. It allows students to develop and demonstrate increasingly
sophisticated health-related knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices. The curriculum includes 9
content strands that include:
Personal and Consumer Health,
Mental Health,
Family and Social Health,
Human Growth and Development,
Disease Prevention and Control,
Nutrition and Fitness,
Substance Abuse Prevention,
Community/Environmental Health, and
Safety and First Aid.
What is national health education curriculum?
National health education curriculum, is a programme of study, set by the government which
says what children of different age groups should be taught about health education and health
practices.
The national curriculum often changes.
Why is the national health education curriculum needed?
National health education curriculum, helps students to
1. Understand concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
2. Demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health-promoting products
and services.
3. Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks.
4. Analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health.
5. Have the ability to use effective interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
6. Demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting and decision making skills to enhance health.
7. Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health
The senior secondary schools
Secondary education is a form of education children receive after primary education and
before tertiary stage and it is aimed at preparing the youth for useful living within the
society, for those who are able and willing for the preparation fpr higher education
( Adeogun, 1999 in Ugwoke, Okenjom and Angela, 2014). However, the senior
secondary school(SSE) which egins from ages 15 to 18 is usually the final stage of
compulsory education. Students at the senior secondary school level in previous
curriculum were usually trained, tested and counseled through one of these three areas of
concentration: academic ( science or humanities) , technical/commercial , or vocational
education with core required courses for all students including English language, a
Nigerian language , mathematics, science( physics chemistry and biology), humanities
(literature, history, or geography) , and either an agricultural science or a vocational
subject.
Importance of health education to senior secondary school students
The following are importance of health education:
Physical growth and development.
Nutrition intake.
Diseases and their prevention.
Mental health.
Reproductive health.
Drug and alcohol abuse prevention, etc.
Health education aims not only to educate children about health but also to promote healthy
behavior and a positive body attitude. Through these health education schemes, schools are
motivating students to participate in learning life skills and not only remain limited to
academic skills.
What does the national health curriculum in Nigeria in senior secondary school
include?
The Nigerian health education curriculum includes the following;
1) Physical education and activity; a planned, sequential curriculum that provides
cognitive and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas such as basic
movement skills: physical fitness, rhythms and dance , and aquatics. Quality
physical education should promote,through a variety of planned physical activities,
each students optimum physical, mental, emotional and social development, and
should promote activities and sport that all student enjoy and can pursue throughout
their lives. Qualified trained teachers teach physical activity.
2) Comprehensive school health education: a planned, sequential curriculum that
addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health. The
curriculum is designed to motivate and assist students to maintain and improve their
health, prevent disease, and reduce health related risk behaviours. It also allows
students to develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health related
knowledge attitudes , skills, and practices. The health education curriculum includes
a variety of topics such as personal health, family health, community health
consumer health, environment health, sexuality education, mental and emotional
health, injury prevention and control of disease, and substances use and abuse.
Qualified, trained teachers provide health education.
