indian council of medical research - Pondicherry University DSpace ...

(4.0%-70.0%), won infestations (2.0%-30.0%), skin diseases (5.0%-10.0%), eye
diseases (4.0%-8.0%), and anemia (4.0%-15.0%) (Gupta et a1.,1973; Bansal et
ah, 1973; Tragler,lQ81; Rao et a1.,1984; Ananthakrishnan et a1.,1987; Gupta. 1989,
Bhattacharya and Tandon,1992; Khanna et a1.,1995). An evaluation of the School
Health Program all over the country showed that 24.0Y0 of the school children medically
examined had some disease or defect (Mahajan.1992). It has also been observed that
school children suffer from learning disabilibes (Agawal,l991). Due to the high degree
of morbidity and learning disabilities seen among children of school age, heavy
investment in primary education program in our country has not had the desired results
(Gopalan.1993).
School children properly motivated and educated can become useful agents of change
in the community and also valuable adjuncts to community development programs.
Therefore, one of the important needs of the hour is to improve the educational status
of school age children by enhancing enrollment and school attendance. Although over
90.0% of children in the developing world enroll in school, only about 50.0% reach
grade V (UNICEF, 1994). A matter of concern is the high dropout rate and low level of
achievement of those who continue in schools. The highest priority in education is
therefore to ensure that not only all children start school but also remain there long
enough to acquire literacy, numeracy and basic attitudes and skills which will help them
improve the quality of their life. There are several factors influencing the educational
achievement of a child and health could be one of them. The extent to which physical ill
health affects the educational status of a child has not been adequately addressed.