Chandigarh is set to witness a groundbreaking initiative with the establishment of the Chandigarh Health Education Centre (CHEC) at Government Model High School (GMHS), Sector 22. This unique project, a collaboration between the UT administration and the Chandigarh Rotary Club, aims to provide unconventional health education to government school students in the city.
Scheduled to be launched by December 1, the CHEC will cater to at least 1.5 lakh students annually, initially. The Rotary Club will contribute exhibits worth around ₹1 crore, including high-tech holographic models, to enhance the learning experience.
The project, which began in 2017 with a proposal from Rotary International Chandigarh, received approval from the UT administrator. Dr. Atul Sachdev and Dr. JS Thakur, who visited health education centers in the USA, recommended the establishment of a similar facility in Chandigarh.
The CHEC will focus on various aspects of health education, including general health, oral health, nutrition, physical activity, substance abuse prevention, and emotional well-being. UT director of school education, Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar, emphasized the importance of the project in creating a cycle of learning that extends beyond the classroom.
Funded by the central government under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the CHEC is poised to become a model for similar initiatives nationwide. With construction costs approved and staff training underway, the centre is on track to transform the health education landscape in Chandigarh.