Box 1 Recommended strategies to increase uptake and maintenance of health promotion interventions in schools

Recommendations based on theme 1: Prioritizing educators’ health

Intervention approach participatory and inclusive of educators’ health

School-based interventions aiming to improve learners’ health should adopt a comprehensive approach, whereby part of the program is specifically designed to attend to educators’ health and wellbeing. A participatory action process should be utilized to co-design the intervention together with educators.

External support and capacity development

An appropriate introduction to the intervention through workshops and demonstration of activities should be ensured prior to implementation. In addition, strategies for capacity development, such as in-service training or CPD credits, should be offered in collaboration with higher education institutions.

Recommendations based on theme 2: Integrating the program into the school structure

Feeling of ownership and belonging

Project partners should focus on transmitting a sense of ownership and belonging to the schools through close collaboration and adequate communication. To further reinforce program ownership by schools, a committee or champion responsible for the program and its implementation should be organized.

Program adaptation to resources and needs

To best embed interventions into schools and avoid delivery barriers, school stakeholders should first reflect on the characteristics of intervention and their available resources and needs. Then, both the intervention and its implementation should be adapted to fit the school requisites.

Recommendation based on theme 3: Creating opportunity in the community

Awareness raising and power claiming

Future interventions should put in place effective communication strategies aimed at raising awareness in the community. A better understanding of the intervention values and goals could encourage caregivers and learners to claim power over the intervention and to adopt its message at home.