Yahya Ibrahim Yusop

More than 1,500 public schools nationwide are now implementing the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Healthy Learning Institutions (HLI) program, a health-centered initiative launched in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies.

Photo Courtesy of Department of Education.

Initiated in 2022, the HLI program aims to address key health concerns among learners and transform schools into health-promoting environments.

The initiative operates under the “OK sa DepEd-HLI” strategy, which expands its reach with support from local government units and school communities.

Under the program, participating schools see improvements in sanitation, nutrition, and mental health services to ensure the safety and well-being of learners.

The HLI initiative is anchored on Joint Administrative Order No. 2022-0001, which was signed by seven government agencies: DepEd, DOH, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Legal Education Board (LEB).

This joint effort fulfills Section 30 of RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, which mandates the creation of “healthy settings” in learning institutions, aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Schools are assessed using a six-pillar framework and are rated under a three-tier recognition system as Satisfactory, Very Satisfactory, or Outstanding, based on their compliance with health standards.

Over 1,300 “Last Mile” schools—those with limited access to basic health facilities—have received direct government funding for the program, including the construction of hygiene facilities and health training.

To enhance implementation, a national onboarding session for school heads and health officers is scheduled for July 14 to 15.

DepEd has also begun distributing tools such as the School Self-Appraisal Checklist and a nationwide “Map of Materials” to support health promotion in schools.

The HLI program is expected to be institutionalized through a DepEd Order later this year.
The order will also formalize a three-star school health rating system and integrate HLI into the agency’s Learner Support Framework.

“Sa Healthy Learning Institutions program, tinitiyak nating may sapat na kaalaman, kalusugan, at malasakit sa bawat silid-aralan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.