CREATING AND SUSTAINING A HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING

For teaching and learning in school to be interesting, effective and rewarding, the environment needs to be conducive. One of the problems militating against effective teaching and learning in schools at all levels of education is an unhealthy school environment which has been the bane of our schools. This paper centres on creating and sustaining a healthy school environment for effective teaching and learning. It examined the concept of school environment, teaching and learning with a focus on primary education which is the foundation and most important level in the pyramid of education. A healthy environment that enhances and facilitates teaching and learning consists of good physical conditions, psychosocial climate and culture. The paper posited that creating and sustaining a healthy school environment for teaching and learning is achievable through the involvement and commitment of all stakeholders both within and outside the school. Finally, it recommended that all stakeholders should be responsive to the environmental needs and well-being of the schools and play the role expected of them effectively in all its ramifications in order to achieve and sustain a healthy school environment.