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THE CONCEPT OF TEACHING HEALTH EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Abstract
Introduction: Health Education is a subject that became a part of the educational system in elementary schools in the Czech Republic after the introduction of the curricular reform, i.e. the introduction of the Framework educational programme for elementary education (FEP EE), which came into effect at the beginning of the school year of 2007/2008. The objective of the paper is to present the results of a research project called “Teaching Health Education in elementary schools in the Czech Republic”, specifically Stage 5 of the research. The aim of the research is to explore the ways Health Education is taught in elementary schools in the Czech Republic, whether it is an independent subject, what the time allocation is, which subtopics are included, whether education in this area is meaningful and whether it can have a society-wide impact. Research sample and methods: The research was performed by means of a questionnaire survey designed for elementary school headteachers (from October 2011 to December 2013). The research sample in Stage 5 included a total of 218 elementary schools. The results indicate that over 90% of elementary schools have an independent subject of Health Education (of which 11% of schools have the subject under a different name). Over 50% of schools reported higher time allocation for Health Education than time allocation specified in the FEP EE. Only 1/3 of Health Education teachers are qualified. Over 55% of elementary schools reported a balance of individual Health Education subtopics. Almost 100% of elementary school headteachers believe it is desirable to maintain sexual and reproduction health topics in the Framework educational programme for elementary education. Most elementary schools (3/4) do not have teachers who would insist on deleting sexual and reproduction health topics from the School educational programme. This was reported as a rare experience. In conclusion it should be stated that Health Education has a legitimate and irreplaceable position in the educational system, which is confirmed by elementary school headteachers, of whom 95% report that it is desirable to educate their students in the area of health and healthy lifestyle and 70% state that the delivery of Health Education in elementary schools might have a society-wide impact, e.g. decreased morbidity or mortality or non-communicable diseases and various undesirable behaviours leading to adverse health effects.
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