Guidance counselors and teachers from across the Strait region will have a better understanding of how to deal with health issues facing their students, thanks to the development of a comprehensive health education program by Dr. Bosire (Bo) Mwebi of StFX’s Faculty of Education.

In developing the program, Dr. Mwebi formed a partnership with the Strait Regional School Board (SRSB), the Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority (GASHA) and the Faculty of Education, a partnership that resulted recently in an in-service day for teachers from the Strait board.

Twenty-eight guidance counselors gathered at the Mulgrave Professional Development Centre on Oct. 15, 2009, to learn a range of comprehensive health strategies to deal with issues ranging from how to reduce accidents and violence in schools to how to talk about sexuality health,  nutritional and mental health.

Part II of the in-service takes place on Friday November 20, 2009 at StFX.

The workshops, coordinated by Dr. Mwebi and Chrissi Lynch, coordinator  student services at SRSB, are designed so that participants come away understanding the basic concepts of health, including the social determinants of health, and develop a strong base of knowledge, skills, abilities and instructional methods in the promotion of healthy schools.

Monica Williams, the director of programs and student services at the Strait board officially opened the in-service.

Facilitations included former StFX comprehensive health education course graduates, Dr. Richie Tobin, Cheryl Higgins, Janine Kaizer, Ashley Tanner, and Stephanie MacDonald (B.Ed 2nd year).

Dr. Mwebi says he developed the course “because I thought a comprehensive school health program could support classroom teachers in their efforts to develop a healthy promoting school where students are able acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for healthy living and wellness.”

Dr. Mwebi has written widely on research pertaining to youth health and HIV prevention.