Integrating Health and Education: A Medical Student’s Teaching Experience in a Government School

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.3084

Keywords:

Volunteering, Non-governmental organization, social and preventive medicine, public health, health awareness, education

Abstract

This article outlines my experience as a part-time teacher in a government school through the NGO Teach For Change, alongside my medical education. The initiative aimed to promote social responsibility through education, with focus on health and hygiene. Key activities included organising extracurricular activities, health and hygiene education sessions, facilitating a health camp which was subsequently documented and published as a cross-sectional study, inspection of school environment and promoting home grown food. These efforts helped children learn about health in practical ways and encouraged healthy habits. Challenges included balancing intense medical training with teaching responsibilities, establishing rapport with the students, integrating health education into their existing academic curriculum. Despite the hurdles, it taught me valuable skills like time management, task prioritisation, communication, leadership and addressing real life difficulties in preventive medicine. In conclusion, such experiences benefit both the community and the individual. Integrating Heath education into school curriculum is crucial and encouraging medical students to engage in similar initiatives can foster social accountability, empathy, communication skills and reinforce the value of preventive care in medical practice.

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References

Cheung B, Browne S, Shih K, Smith B, Smith M, Raff D, et al. Integration of health education into a school curriculum in rural India: an evaluation of challenges faced. Ann Glob Health. 2016;82(3):375–396.

Auld, M. E., Allen, M. P., Hampton, C., Montes, J. H., Sherry, C., Mickalide, A. D., et al. (2020). Health literacy and health education in schools: Collaboration for action. NAM Perspectives, 2020(Jul 20).

Haritha A, Harikrishna. Study on nutritional status, prevalence of vitamin deficiencies and morbidity pattern among school children in Mandal Parishad Primary School, Miyapur, Hyderabad. Indian J Basic Appl Med Res. 2024;13(2):4–12.

Pulimeno, M., Piscitelli, P., Colazzo, S., Colao, A., Miani, A., Miraglia Del Giudice, E., et al. (2020). School as ideal setting to promote health and wellbeing among young people. Health Promotion Perspectives, 10(4), 316–324.

The image shows a group of smiling schoolchildren proudly displaying their colorful drawings inside a classroom. The children are gathered in front of a blackboard, enthusiastically holding up artwork that features houses, trees, rainbows, and national flags. The vibrant atmosphere reflects joy, creativity, and engagement in a school activity, highlighting the positive impact of educational and artistic expression in young learners.

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Published

2025-06-21

How to Cite

Haritha, A. (2025). Integrating Health and Education: A Medical Student’s Teaching Experience in a Government School. International Journal of Medical Students, 13(2), 217–219. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2025.3084

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Experience

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Copyright (c) 2025 Haritha Annem

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