Video summary
As the new academic year begins, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition extends a warm welcome to teachers, parents, and students, emphasizing that true classroom success is rooted in physical and mental well-being. The central theme for this year is simple yet powerful: be healthy, active, and smart. This approach aims to create a supportive environment where every member of the school community can thrive by prioritizing their bodies and minds alongside academic goals.
To foster health, the ministry encourages families to focus on budget-friendly lunchbox choices that feature fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables grown locally, ensuring children maintain steady energy levels throughout the day. Alongside nutritious eating, there is a strong push to replace sugary, carbonated drinks with water to protect young bodies from unnecessary harm. Furthermore, staying active is presented as essential for keeping a growing mind alert, prompting teachers to introduce short "desk buster" brain breaks between heavy subjects and urging students to celebrate daily sports and movement as a way to build a strong defense against illness.
Mental well-being is equally critical, with the message that academic achievement is impossible if a child is burdened by stress or anxiety. Teachers are encouraged to use the beginning of their morning periods for supportive wellness check-ins, providing a safe space for students to feel heard before lessons start. At home, parents play a vital role in ensuring deep rest by limiting evening screen time on phones and tablets, while students are reminded that their minds matter and should speak openly with trusted adults if they ever feel overwhelmed.
By combining good local food, daily movement, and a supportive classroom culture, schools can effectively launch a healthy lifestyle shift for the youth. The ministry concludes by wishing everyone a safe, successful, and vibrant academic year, calling on all stakeholders to commit to nurturing healthy bodies, active minds, and supportive environments so that the nation's young people can truly flourish this year.
Read the full video transcript
As we open the school gates and step
into this brand new academic year,
the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and
Nutrition
wants to extend the warmest welcome to
each and every teacher, parent, and
student.
We know a new term brings fresh goals,
new books, and a lot of excitement.
But true success in the classroom starts
with how we take care of our bodies and
our minds.
This year, we want to encourage our
school community to embrace a simple,
powerful theme.
Be healthy, active, smart. Firstly, be
healthy.
We encourage parents to focus on
budget-friendly lunchbox choices using
what we grow.
Think about fresh, seasonal fruits,
vegetables, and provisions. This will
keep our children's energy steady and
protect their bodies.
We also encourage everyone to choose
water over sugary, carbonated drinks.
Secondly, we need our students to stay
active.
Sitting at a desk for hours can tire out
a growing mind.
Teachers,
we are encouraging you to introduce desk
buster brain breaks.
Just 3 quick minutes between your heavy
subjects to help your students stand up,
stretch, and move.
And to our students, keep playing, keep
running, and celebrate your daily sports
because moving your body builds a strong
defense for your health.
Finally, we want our students to be
smart
about their mental well-being.
Academic success is impossible if a
child is carrying stress or anxiety.
Teachers, you are on the front line.
We encourage you to use the first few
minutes of your morning home room
periods for a quick supportive wellness
check-in.
Let's provide our students with a safe
space to speak and feel heard before the
lessons begin.
Parents, you play a huge role at home.
Help your children to get the deep rest
they need by actively limiting evening
screen time on phones, tablets, and TVs
before bed.
And to our students, remember that your
mind matters.
If you ever feel overwhelmed,
talk openly to a teacher, a guidance
counselor, or a parent.
Our schools are the perfect places to
start a healthy lifestyle shift
by focusing on good local food,
daily movement, and a supportive home
room culture,
we can ensure our youth stay strong,
eat well, and keep moving.
The Ministry of Health,
and Nutrition
wishes all teachers, parents, and
students a safe,
successful, and vibrant academic year.
Together, let us commit to nurturing
healthy bodies, active minds, and
supportive environments so that our
nation's youth can truly thrive this
academic year.
>> Mhm.