The Ghana Education Service has described the nationwide school-based distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and malaria vaccines as a strategic investment in the health and future of Ghanaian children.
Speaking at a joint briefing organised by the Ghana Health Service(GHS) and GES on malaria interventions, the National Coordinator of the School Health Education Programme (SHEP), Theresa Oppong Mensah, said protecting children from malaria is essential to improving educational outcomes.
She explained that malaria remains a major cause of school absenteeism, poor concentration, reduced academic performance and financial strain on families, making disease prevention critical to achieving quality education.
According to Mrs. Oppong Mensah, schools provide an effective platform not only for distributing mosquito nets and vaccines but also for promoting healthy behaviours among learners, their families and surrounding communities.
She stressed that the success of the campaign would not be measured solely by the number of mosquito nets distributed, but by the number of children who consistently sleep under them every night.
Mrs. Oppong Mensah said teachers have a key role to play in the initiative, describing them as educators, role models and agents of behaviour change.
She urged them to educate pupils on the importance of malaria vaccination and the proper installation and use of insecticide-treated nets.
She also appealed to parents and caregivers to air newly received mosquito nets under shade for at least 48 hours before hanging them over children’s sleeping spaces and ensuring they are used every night.
The SHEP Coordinator cautioned against the misuse of insecticide-treated nets, noting that they should not be used for gardening, fishing, crop protection or drying food, as such practices undermine efforts to protect children from malaria.
GES further called on regional, metropolitan, municipal and district education directors, health teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and the media to support public education on proper net use, maintenance and malaria vaccination.
Mrs. Oppong Mensah said every mosquito net and every vaccine administered represents hope for a healthier generation, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure children are protected from malaria.
