IMPROVING PUPILS QUALITY THROUGH COMMUNITY ADVOCACY: THE ROLE OF SCHOOL – BASED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (SBMC)

Hitherto, quality in education has always been measured on quality of content in curriculum and how well such fits present and future needs of learners. The new concept of dimensions in quality relates to “quality learners” among other dimensions. Quality learners according to UNESCO are learners who are healthy and supported in learning by their families and communities. This paper looks at the health of the school child as a major management concern and therefore advocates for a role to be played by the School Base Management Committee (SBMC), in sensitizing the community on the role of parents and community members in ensuring quality learners. Two major health issues are identified in this paper, these are HIV/AIDS and Malaria which incidentally have been identified by World Health Organisation (WHO) as killer diseases particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper concluded by drawing up an advocacy strategy to be used by SBMC in partnership with the school authority to at least minimize the challenges posed by these major health issues.