BACKGROUND

Physical education has been neglected in Armenian schools in the past for two main reasons: poor condition of gyms and sanitary facilities of public schools and a lack of active and healthy lifestyle habits.

Access to Water and Sanitation
(Human Rights Defender’s Office Report, 2019)

NCDs: Government Burden and Mortality Cause
(UNDP and WHO Publication, 2019)

PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED

• Poor condition of physical education facilities
• Lack of healthy lifestyle knowledge and habits
• Lack of sports equipment and educational resources
• Poor sanitary and inadequate washing facilities
• High NCDs incidence
• High CDs incidence
• Absence of menstrual management services
  

IMPLEMENTATION ROAD MAP

1st phase

• Conduct needs assessment of all public schools through a software to measure the scale and specifics of the problem
• Localize and consolidate the standards of hygiene and sanitation in public schools
• Consolidate the standards for gyms in public schools
• Map the schools by physical condition of the facilities

2nd phase:
Renovation

• Renovate gyms in public schools
• Renovate bathrooms in public schools
• Provide relevant equipment

Soft Capacity Enhancement and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion

• Enhance physical educators’ capacities and skill level to promote greater participation in sports, teambuilding and healthy behavior
• Organize community sports events (competitions, festivals etc.)
• Promote healthy lifestyle in communities

PROJECT OUTCOME

Short-term results

• Mental and physical health benefits for school children
• Improved academic performance among school children
• Stronger social bonds and vibrant communities
• Increased youth engagement in sports activities
• Decreased level of CDs and NCDs
• Decreased risk behavior

Long-term results

• Improved public health
• Improved health span
• Promotion of gender-equality
• Healthier and more productive workforce
• Reduction of disease-related financial and social burden on the families and the economy in general

SUSTAINABILITY

The main guarantee of the project sustainability relies on the fact that the project beneficiaries are state funded institutions, so there will be no need to provide further financing for staff salaries and the maintenance cost. Agreements will be signed with the Schools as individual entities to ensure their enhanced role and responsibilities related to the due maintenance and operation of the improved facilities.