In response to a LinkedIn post by Gezonde Leefstijl Op School about the appeal by the 44, he explains what he means: “Every day, 2 x 30 minutes of physical activity at every school, a healthy school cafeteria, a water tap at school, a smoke-free schoolyard, sickness absence prevention, implementing task play (advice from the Trimbos Institute), homework support for all children (and not just for children whose parents can afford it), etc.” Van der Velpen is also critical of the Healthy School programme: “It is well put together, but… it reaches only 1,200 of the 6,900 schools and is too non-committal. Schools only have to earn one of the many certificates and they can already call themselves a Healthy School. In my view, you could end up with a situation in which a school does not have a smoke-free schoolyard but is still allowed to use the title Healthy School because it has earned a certificate relating to nutrition. I think it would be good to further develop the Healthy School programme. And within the Healthy School programme, schools can of course make their own choices, within certain limits. But they should choose effective programmes.”
Van der Velpen is supported by Jeroen Deenik, researcher and health psychologist at GGz Centraal. “I also see a learning area as broader than a subject. An environment in which health is encouraged and supported is essential. That is why we are not addressing individual schools or teachers, but rather the ministry, which can focus on creating such environments. Nationwide and regardless of which municipality, neighbourhood, etc. Focusing on equal opportunities and specifically supporting groups that need it most is essential.” In this context, he refers to a blog that he wrote together with Karine van ’t Land for Skipr. Deenik also advocates cooperation between social organisations and (healthcare) organisations. That point is well received by general practitioner Françoise Langens. She sighs, “education again?” and also advocates cooperation between children, schools, the social domain and healthcare. “It is so complex, and if we place it on the shoulders of education once again, we are back where we started. Knowledge does not yet mean that you change your behaviour.” Mieke Spaans, Manager of Communications, Strategy & Knowledge on the JOGG Management Team, supports Deenik and Langens’s appeal: “An integrated, cross-domain approach; structurally embedded in all environments where children spend a lot of time.” She also refers to the Ambition Agreement that JOGG presented this spring.
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