One of the responsibilities of teachers is to ensure the safety and health of students. This obligation is especially demanding in schools and colleges, where students are younger. In this case, the task of caring for and protecting students is not limited to monitoring and avoiding dangers. Students must also be educated to learn to ensure their own safety and health.
In the field of safety, training activities should be carried out on prevention and response to dangers. And in the field of health, students should be encouraged to acquire healthy habits. But as we have already mentioned in previous articles, each student has different needs .
Most of the measures aimed at safety and health are applicable to all students. Explain the protocol for action in case of fire; supervise the activities of the students during recess; maintain hygiene conditions in the kitchen of the dining room; etc.
However, there are certain behaviours that can be beneficial in general list of greek numbers and harmful in specific cases. For example, providing pupils with a varied diet. In general, this has clear nutritional benefits, but in some cases special precautions must be taken.
Food allergies and intolerances, an increasingly widespread phenomenon among children.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in cases of food allergies and intolerances. Paediatricians are trying to identify the causes of this increase. It is now believed that babies who do not try certain foods are more likely to develop allergies to them.
A diet tailored to each student promotes their safety and health
In any case, the problem of food allergies and intolerances must be taken into account in school canteens. A first step would be to provide the affected student with an alternative food containing the same nutrients. For this, training in nutrition and dietetics would be very useful.
But perhaps more important would be to have a protocol for action in the event of an allergic reaction. Whether due to ignorance, or because a student tries food from a classmate's plate, unexpected allergic reactions can occur. In these cases, it is vital to know the first aid that should be used. This training is essential to guarantee the safety and health of the student.
Hazard response protocols must take into account the diversity of students' abilities.
Teachers are responsible for the safety and health of all their students. It is therefore important to remember that some students will need special attention, for example, students with reduced mobility or sensory difficulties.
For the safety and health of students, emergency routes must be planned with the diversity of abilities in mind.
For example, in the event of a fire, these students may need help to reach safe areas outside. It is important that both teachers and students are clear about how to act in these cases. Fire drills can be an opportunity to raise awareness among other students to help. These exercises can promote education in values as well as the safety and health of students.
New challenges of security in the school environment.
So far we have talked about obvious risks to the safety and health of students. However, there are other risks that tend to go unnoticed and are therefore more difficult to prevent. We are talking about risks to the mental health and emotional well-being of students.
At this stage of life, young people are especially susceptible to the opinions others have of them. Therefore, situations such as bullying, if not treated in time, can lead to depressive disorders. Unfortunately, new technologies have brought with them a version of bullying that is more difficult to combat: cyberbullying.
In educational centers, safety and mental health must also be ensured.
Although not directly linked to the educational environment, teachers have a fundamental role in the fight against cyberbullying. Due to the amount of time they spend with students, it is possible that teachers detect changes in behavior. In addition, and given their role as mentors, it is possible that affected students confide their problems to them. In these cases, coordinated action between teachers and families can be of great help to affected students.
The safety and health of students must undoubtedly be the top priority in educational centres. Are you interested in training in any of the subjects mentioned, such as first aid for the disabled? Do you work in the education sector? Then you will find these and other courses in our specific section of courses for workers in the education sector .