What we do

School health and nutrition programmes are now recognized as important contributors to countries’ efforts to achieve EFA and their MDGs. Such programming necessitates working across the education and health sectors. To this end, PCD adopts a crosssectoral approach in understanding the concerns, priorities and cultures of both the education and health sectors, as well as those of other stakeholders and partners. In support of these efforts, PCD promotes a gender-aware life-cycle approach and includes a diverse collection of projects and programmes in its portfolio.

Our goal is to improve the educational achievement of children, especially girls, through national programmes that enhance the health, nutrition and psychosocial status of children in low and middle income countries. Some examples of our recent work can be found in our 2008 Annual Report organised under our four objectives:

1. To strengthen the evidence base: Promoting good practice of cross-sectoral SHN programmes.

2. To strengthen the capacity of the education sectors in low and middle income countries: Developing policies and plans for cross-sectoral programmes in SHN, early child development, HIV education and support for orphans and vulnerable children.

3. To improve, collect, share and disseminate knowledge: On cross-sectoral SHN programmes.

4. To strengthen global, regional, national and local partnerships: Facilitating consensus and supporting effective programme coordination and implementation.

Additional information about PCD's work can also be found on the schools and health website.