Healthy Eating Guide for Schools
Practical guidance for canteens and tuck shops on serving balanced meals.
Movement, healthier choices and well-being throughout school life.
Jamaica Moves in Schools is a collaborative health-and-education initiative designed to strengthen healthy lifestyle practices among students and create school environments that support well-being. It promotes increased physical activity, healthier food choices, greater awareness of NCD risk and a whole-school approach to health.
The programme recognises that healthy students are better positioned to participate, learn and develop. It also recognises that school health is not the responsibility of students alone: policies, staff practices, food environments, physical spaces, families, health services and community partnerships all contribute.
A healthy school makes movement, nutritious food and drink, and practical health education part of everyday learning. It creates a safe, inclusive environment where students feel supported and can access school-linked health services or appropriate referrals.
Strong relationships among students, staff, families, health services and the wider community help sustain this approach, backed by school leadership and policies that put health and well-being into daily practice.
Schools can make movement part of the day through physical education, active breaks, dance, games, sport, walking, structured activity sessions and other age-appropriate opportunities. The goal is to create a culture in which movement is normal, inclusive and enjoyable.
Healthy school environments can reinforce Jamaica's national dietary guidance by increasing access to nutritious foods and water, supporting healthier choices and reducing routine exposure to foods and drinks high in added sugars, salt and unhealthy fats.
School wellness should also build students' understanding of health and risk. Appropriate screening, referral, health education and links to health services can help identify concerns early and encourage young people and families to make informed decisions.
Schools across Jamaica dedicate time to structured physical activity and demonstrate creative, inclusive ways to integrate movement into school life.
Practical guidance for canteens and tuck shops on serving balanced meals.
Take a walk through a Jamaica Moves in Schools session and see how physical activity, nutrition and wellness are built into the school day.
Exercise and physical activity have been a focus of the Ministry for some time. See how Jamaica Moves is being rolled out in schools across the island.
Contact HPE or your Regional Health Authority about current planning resources and identify a school wellness focal point to coordinate participation.
Find resources, stories, events and programmes.