Answer

Introduction

India’s SDG ranking improved to 99th out of 167 countries in 2025, showing progress in basic services and infrastructure. Yet, key health indicators under SDG 3, like maternal and child mortality, remain below targets, highlighting persistent gaps. Compulsory school-based health education can build preventive habits and awareness, laying the foundation for a healthier population.

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Key reasons for persisting challenges in achieving SDG 3 targets

• Limited access to quality healthcare: Inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical personnel, and rural-urban disparities restrict access.
  Eg: Maternal Mortality Ratio in India is 97 per 100,000 live births, above the 2030 target of 70.
• High out-of-pocket expenditure: Families bear significant healthcare costs, limiting treatment-seeking behavior.
  Eg: Out-of-pocket expenditure constitutes ~13% of total household consumption, nearly double the target of 7.83%.
• Poor nutrition and lifestyle factors: Malnutrition, inadequate hygiene, and unhealthy practices exacerbate disease burden.
  Eg: Under-five mortality rate remains 32 per 1,000 live births, above the 2030 target of 25.
• Cultural barriers and low awareness: Stigma, traditional beliefs, and lack of health literacy prevent effective utilization of healthcare services.
• Insufficient preventive healthcare measures: Low awareness and adoption of vaccination, sanitation, and disease prevention.
  Eg: Immunisation coverage is 93.23%, short of the universal target of 100%.
  

Positive role of compulsory health education in schools

• Early awareness and habit formation: Educates children on nutrition, hygiene, mental health, and reproductive health.
  Eg: Finland’s school-based health reforms in the 1970s reduced cardiovascular diseases in later decades.
• Long-term impact on maternal and child health: Educated girls become informed mothers, reducing MMR and child mortality.
  Eg: School-based health programs in Japan improved hygiene practices and life expectancy.
• Promotion of preventive healthcare: Encourages vaccination, healthy diet, and physical activity from a young age.
• Community multiplier effect: Students influence families and communities to adopt healthy practices.
  Eg: Awareness campaigns integrated into school curricula in states like Kerala improved sanitation and nutrition.
  

Challenges in implementing health education

• Curriculum integration: Difficulty in incorporating health modules into existing syllabus without overloading students.
  Eg: Many schools lack structured content on mental health and reproductive health.
• Teacher preparedness: Teachers often lack training to deliver effective health education.
  Eg: Rural schools in Madhya Pradesh report insufficient teacher training for health topics.
• Resource and infrastructure constraints: Limited access to labs, teaching aids, and digital platforms.
  Eg: Digital health tracking tools are not uniformly available across rural and tribal areas.
• Cultural sensitivity and community resistance: Certain topics may face opposition due to traditional norms.
  

Way forward to ensure a healthy populace for Viksit Bharat

• Universal health coverage and primary care strengthening: Expand PHCs and integrate digital health solutions.
  Eg: National Health Mission enhancing PHC infrastructure in underserved districts.
• Comprehensive school health programs: Standardize curriculum with nutrition, hygiene, reproductive, mental health, and safety education.
  Eg: Integrating telemedicine and digital health records in schools.
• Community engagement and parental involvement: Encourage families to reinforce health practices learned in schools.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Use data-driven approaches to track health outcomes and curriculum effectiveness.
  Eg: Digital dashboards to monitor immunization coverage and school health metrics.

Conclusion

Bridging health gaps requires systemic reforms and individual awareness. Integrating structured health education in schools, alongside universal healthcare and strong primary health systems, equips future generations with habits that reduce disease burden, supporting SDG 3 targets and enabling a healthier, resilient ‘Viksit Bharat’.

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