Management of School Health Programme Implementation in Public Secondary Schools in Kaduna State

Effective school health programme management is fundamental to the realisation of national health education objectives in Nigerian secondary schools. This study assessed the management of school health programme implementation in public secondary schools in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting 50 school principals and 150 teachers across 25 randomly selected public secondary schools in Kaduna North, Zaria, and Soba local government areas. Structured questionnaires and document review guides were used for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency tables, means, and chi-square tests. Findings showed that school health programmes were poorly structured in most schools, with 72 percent reporting the absence of a school health committee. Provisions for first aid, emergency preparedness, and health screening were inadequate. Teachers responsible for health education delivery were largely unqualified specialists. Where school health programmes were supported by dedicated funding and administrative oversight, better health outcomes including higher physical fitness scores and lower absenteeism were recorded. The study recommended that the Kaduna State Secondary Schools Management Board develop a standardised school health management framework, appoint school health coordinators, and allocate dedicated budgets for school health activities. Keywords: school health programme, management, secondary schools, Kaduna State, implementation