Being launched in 2001 by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Programme for Health Education in Romanian Schools was intended to cover the first pylon in public health, that of prevention through early and constant health education and promotion. Thus, one of the main areas of intervention within the GFATM supported projects was health education and increasing availability and access for this subject in as many schools as possible.

The project was the first huge (it may be said) step made by Romania in changing the teaching and learning methodologies, scaled up for 8785 teachers that participated in interactive trainings and on themes they were not comfortable with. Results of this project are being seen after the years, even nowadays around 6% of the students being involved yearly in health education activities.

Besides these results, the project gained from the joint experience and expertise of so many people that got involved and willingly contributed to its development and sustainability. Psychologists, medical doctors, pedagogues, experts in child and adolescent’s development, all needed consultancy joined this national initiative that was meant to better educate Romanian society towards the integration and practice of responsible and healthier behaviours. 

A media campaign for parents, to encourage them to ask for the optional classes of health education was developed and implemented. Teachers were trained and adapted materials for working with students were developed and distributed. Intensive efforts in providing technical assistance for those implementing the classes were made. And, a strategy with the horizon of 2010 was built through an extensive consultation process with decision-makers. Unfortunately, most of the targets were not reached, even after 10 years, showing the decreased political will regarding this programme.

Due to this project, we understood more clearly how the educational system works, including some of its limitations. We changed our perspective and demand for compulsory health education and compulsory sex education to increasing the access, up to universal access. We understood that many other institutions are to be involved in such a programme, not only the schools. We will continue to work for this programme, to advocate for it and to create new instruments and materials for teachers, students and families.

Still, even if this project remains a strong trigger for us and the people that contributed to it, it faded in importance in the institutionalized memory of the high-decision makers in the last 10 years. Some of the themes, considered at that time as essential ones, including sexual and reproductive health education, are constantly attacked even in 2020 and even in the pandemic situation with SARS-CoV2. Health education includes all areas of health: physical, mental, emotional, relationships, even environment and social issues (stigma, discrimination). We applaud teachers that didn’t give up, continued to teach new generations of students on this extensive subject, trained themselves to be updated on science data and were not ashamed to ask for help. In 2021, the programme will celebrate 20 years of existence in Romanian schools, being a real prove that smart investment is long-term investment.