Sustainability of Health Promoting School (HPS) at Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

A descriptive study was carried out in the primary schools to assess the
sustainability of health promoting school (HPS), and examine the factors influencing the
HPS sustainability. All school directors in Primary Education Area 1 of Mahasarakham
Province, which passed the HPS criteria were asked to respond to the HPS questionnaire.
Both quantitative and qualitative data were conducted. Simple descriptive statistics;
frequencies and percentage were used for quantitative analysis while semi-structure
interviews of school directors, teachers, and students, as well as, content analysis were
used for qualitative approach.
Just over sixty percent of all school directors (63.8%) answered and returned the
questionnaire either by post or email. Of those (77.5%) passed the HPS criteria in the
golden level. The majority (92.2%) indicated that they were satisfied with the HPS process.
However, they were more likely to work on environment improvement (51.2%). Financial
support was in the highest demand while collaboration between teachers, students, and
community, supervision of HPS process, school ethos and period of season were also
important to run the HPS activities and maintain the HPS sustainability.
The findings suggested that school should have a practical plan for collaborative
partnership which integrates school ethos for running HPS activities. The developing of the
model for HPS sustainability should be further studied