The Department of Education (DepEd) will intensify its essential health care program (EHCP) among thousands of public school students to help improve their academic performance and also reduce drop-out rate.

“Health concerns and poverty are the two major causes of low school performance and drop out rate, prompting us to prioritize these two issues,” Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said.

The EHCP is a school-based health program of DepEd in partnership with the local government units, private sector and other community stakeholders. Under the EHCP, each student gets a free kit that contains a toothbrush, soap, de-worming tablets and access to toothpaste. The kit costs P25 per child per year.

Lapus revealed that the wellness program has helped over 600,000 children in public elementary schools and day care centers. The program is taught in schools and daycare centers.

“Part of the strategy to improve the school children's performance is keeping them healthy especially in this time of influenza A (H1N1) pandemic,” he said.

The EHCP also aims at reducing illnesses that are causing the poor performance of students and even contributing to the increasing drop-out rate. They hope to reduce incidence in illnesses such as diarrhea by 30-40 percent, respiratory infections by 20-30 percent, worm infections by 50 percent, dental caries by 40-50 percent, and mouth infections by 50 percent.

DepEd hopes that with the EHCP in place, school attendance would improve by 20 percent and so is academic performance.

“The quality of health of the pupils determines their academic performance. Not many realize their huge impact on the physical and mental development of children, their school attendance, their school performance and ultimately their quality of life,” Lapus said.

Meanwhile, Lapus thanked the House of Representatives yesterday for commending DepEd and himself for his performance as education chief.

The House of Representatives earlier adopted Resolution No. 249, recognizing the agency and Secretary Lapus’ outstanding performance in improving basic education in the country.

“We thank our congressmen for the unprecedented recognition. They are part of DepEd’s success from their support in increasing the resources for the Filipino school children,” Lapus said.

The lawmakers commended Lapus’s efforts in improving teachers’ welfare, increase in budget allocation, significant improvement in schools’ facilities and even the highly controversial feeding program.

“And as education is a societal concern, we share this honor with our entire DepEd family, our local and foreign partners and the communities. We are encouraged to stay on track with our reform efforts in basic education,” the education chief said.

Lapus consistently lands as one of the top performing officials of the present administration. He also ranked first in surveys for his performance among President Arroyo’s Cabinet members. DepEd also has one of the highest approval ratings among government agencies.