MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
between
the Ministry of Education
and
the Ministry of Health

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
between
the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health
1. Parties
The two parties to this Memorandum of Understanding are the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of
Health.
2. Purpose
This Memorandum of Understanding is a mutual agreement between the Ministry of Education and the
Ministry of Health to work in a cooperative partnership to improve the well-being, health and academic
achievement of school_students.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health agree that :
3.1 improving knowledge and understanding of health will improve the health and l i e skills of students
3.2 improving the health of s t u d d s will improve their academic achievement
3.3 ensuring a healthy school environment is beneficial to the health and well-being of students, teachers
and the wider community
3.4 healthier and better-educated students will produce a healthier, more productive Cook Islands
population
4. Goals
The goals of this Memorandum are to :
4.1 improve student and teacher knowledge and understanding of health
4.2 improve the health of students
4.3 improve academic achievement of students
4.4 ensure schools are safe and healthy environments for students and teachers
4.5 produce a healthier Cook Islands population
5. Cooperative Strategies
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Heaith agree to achieve the Memorandum goals by
cooperating to :
5.1 develop, support and implement a relevant Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum
5.2 develop, support and implement relevant school learning programmes consistent with the Health
Promoting Schools philosophy
5.3 develop, support and implement relevant school health policies consistent with the Health Promoting
Schools philosophy
5.4 monitor health standards in the school environment and take appropriate action
5.5 monitor the health of individual students and take appropriate action
5.6 promote awareness and understanding of health issues of particular relevance to the Cook Islands

6. Health Curriculum and Learning Programmes
6.1 The Ministrv of Education agrees to :
6.1.1 develop and review the Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum in consultation with the
Ministry of Health
6.1.2 identify a Ministry employee who will be the point of contact for the Ministry of Health
6.1.3 communicate draR and final curriculum statements to the Ministry of Health
6.1.4 plan and deliver Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum workshops for teachers in consultation
with the Ministry of Health
6.1.5 develop and procure relevant resources to support the Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum
funded from its own budget and fiom donor h d s sourced in cooperation with the Ministry of Health
6.1.6 plan and deliver Health learning programmes in schools and the Teachers Training College
6.1.7 seek Ministry of Health advice on resources and learning programmes
6.1.8 monitor the implementation and delivery of the Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum in
schools
6.2 The IGistry of Health agrees to :
6.2.1 provide professional advice to the Ministry of Education on the Health Curriculum, workshops and
resources
6.2.2 assist advisers, lecturers and teachers to plan and deliver workshops and learning programmes by
mutual agreement, accepting that delivery is mainly the responsibility of Ministry of Education
employees
6.2.3 notify the klinistry of Education of regional and global aid agencies and programmes supportive of
health education
6.2.4 develop or procure relevant resources to support the Health and Physical Well-being Curriculum
-
7. Healthy Schooi Environments
7.1 The Ministry of Education agrees to :
7.1.1 develop and review guidelines on school health policies in consultation with the Ministry of
Health and in line with National Health Strategies and the Health Promoting Schools philosophy
7.1.2 assist each school to develop and implement its o m health promotion policies, procedures and
programmes consistent with the Health Promoting Schools philosophy
7.1.3 comply with health standards established by the Ministry of Health for schools
7.1.4 comply with advice, requests and instructions fiom the M i n ' i of Health regarding potential or
actual school closures due to health risks
7,1.5 rnonitor compliance with health policies and procedures
7.2 The Ministry of Health agrees to :
7.2.1 provide professional advice to the Ministry of Education and schools on school health policies
7.2.2 establish relevant health standads for schools in consultation with the Ministq of Education and
schools
7.2.3 provide advice, relevant information and instructions to the Miistry of Education regarding
potential or actual school closures due to health risks

8. Healthy Students
8.1 The Ministry of Education, through the PrincipaL agrees to :
8.1.1 maintain relevant health records on every student
8.1.2 notify the Ministry of Health and parents of any concern the school may have regarding the health
of a student
8.1.3 cooperate with school health surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health
8.1.4 cooperate with the delivery by Ministry of Health of health services in schools
8.2 The Ministry of Health agrees to :
8.2.1 regularly check every student for eyesight, hearing and other health issues important to the student
8.2.2 with the appropriate consent, advise the school of the appropriate actions to be taken in regard to
specific students with health conditions that need close monitoring and prompt attention
8.2.3 conduct surveys to determine the overall health of the student population and provide feedback to
the Ministry of Education of survey results with recommendations for appropriate intervention
8.2.4 plan and deliver health services in each school in consultation with the Principal
9. Heaith Awareness
9.1 The Ministry of Education agrees to :
9.1.1 allow the Ministry of Health to communicate health issues to schools through the Education
Gazette
9.1.2 facilitate communication between the Ministry of Health and schools through meetings arranged by
mutual agreement with Principals
9.1.3 support Ministry of Health promotions with activities to be arranged through mutual agreement
with Principals
9.2 The Ministry of Health agrees to :
9.2.1 communicate health issues to schools through the Education Gazette
9.2.2 inform the Ministry of Education and schools of the Mhistry of Health annual plan for health
promotions relevant to schools
9.2.3 conduct health promotions in schools through mutual agreement with individual Principals
10. Dispute Resolution
10. 1 In the unlikely event of any dispute arising in relation to the matters contained in this
Memorandum, such dispute shall be resolved expeditiously by agreement between the Secretary of
Education and the Secretary of Health.
10.2 This Memorandum may be amended or varied in writing at my time by mutual agreement between
the parties.
11. Duration of Memorandum of Understanding
This Memorandum of Understanding will commence on the date of execution and will only end if
terminated by either party giving one month's notice in writing to the other party specifling an effective
date of termination.

Signed on behalf of the Ministry of Education by the Secretary of Education, Ken Matheson
S .lr/hf3T;--
Date :
7/5/@&
in the presence of:
Name:
- bh' GAfe/
Signed on behalf of the Ministry of Health by the Secretary of Health, Vaine Teokotai
Date -3%
.
La, 2-04
Name:
Designat ion:
Signature:
kh@-
Date :
k
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