To be a Responsible Adolescent: A Key Strategy to Enhance Students’ Awareness of Self-Care and their Health Behaviours

Abstract

This article presents unique teacher's experience in developing and implementing a highly acclaimed pioneer comprehensive health-promoting programme at a secondary school in Hong Kong. The authors explain why a systematic school health education is needed from both personal and public health perspectives. A five-year programme known as ‘Be responsible’ had been introduced at St. Catharine's School for Girls since 1999 with an objective of guiding students to assume responsibility'for their health. Through interactive activities, students had learnt and acquired the knowledge, skills and attitude that would empower them to enjoy an all-rounded development and life-long well-being. The Programme adopted a ‘bottom-up’ model that extended its benefits beyond the classrooms. Health education follows the modern education theory of holistic development and is the foundation of a quality education system. Teachers should therefore be committed to the cause and role of promoting health at school and work in partnership with the health professionals.