Commentator Apinis: new family health subject has little health content
In a Latvijas Avīze commentary, Pēteris Apinis argues that only two of 36 sections in the Education Ministry's planned “Family Health Studies” subject concern health. He calls for a full health education course modelled on the Nordic countries.
Latvian primary schools are set to introduce a new subject, “Family Health Studies”, next year. The Cabinet of Ministers decided this on 6 October, acting on an informative report from the Ministry of Education and Science. In a commentary published in the daily Latvijas Avīze on 12 October, Pēteris Apinis criticises the plan, arguing that the subject has very little to do with health. As he understands it, the course will be taught by a history and social sciences teacher.
What the ministry's presentation contains
According to Apinis, the ministry's presentation has four blocks: family and its development, the self as a personality and identity, mutual relationships, and family and society. Each block has nine sections, 36 in total. He says only two could be linked to health: puberty, and physical and emotional development. He also notes that the presentation was prepared by an employee of the State Education Development Agency (VIAA), not by Education Minister Ilze Indriksone.
What the author proposes
Apinis recalls that in 2003 Kārlis Šadurskis, then minister of education and science, removed health education from school curricula. Since then health topics have formally been included in other subjects, such as sport. The author believes low health literacy contributes to premature mortality and mental health problems.
He suggests following the Nordic countries. In Finland, he says, health education is a mandatory, standalone subject with grades, taught by specially trained teachers and healthcare professionals. He also sees a positive example in Estonia.
He would like the content to include science-based information on the body, nutrition, sleep, physical activity, addiction prevention, puberty, contraception, personal boundaries and how to talk to a doctor. In his view, the programme should be free of ideological and political experiments.
