THE Education Ministry is urging teachers and staff to continue its commitment to providing efficient services around the country.
Permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal highlighted the need for staff to be physically and mentally prepared at all times and to always be health conscious.
"Being with students, we will need to be mobile and be thinking on our feet at all times. I therefore urge teachers and all our education staff to eat healthy and live healthy as we are role models to our students," Dr Lal said.
Responding to this call, ministry staff have now formed various support groups to organise activities including health checks, health walks and promoting healthy eating at the workplace.
"I would also encourage heads of schools and teachers to take interest in the wellbeing of their students as this will also affect the academic performances of students. A random check on students' lunches and medical cards can tell us a lot about the students under our care," Dr Lal said.
The Youth and Sports Ministry is also leading their staff in the same direction after staff participated at a health screening last week.
Permanent secretary Joseva Sania said they needed to mirror a workforce that was health-conscious and one that would support government's fight against NCDs.
"It is important that each individual staff knows their health status so that they take action especially on lifestyle," Mr Sania said.
"We want to reassure a healthy workforce in order to provide better services. We are working towards supporting the Ministry of Health in the fight against non-communicable diseases and we will encourage youths throughout the country to fight against NCDs."