Distinguished panel to evaluate schools’ efforts in enhancing health outcomes, marking a milestone in promoting health literacy among Malaysian children.
Kuala Lumpur, 28 February 2024 – AIA Malaysia today introduced its esteemed panel of judges for the AIA Healthiest Schools competition, which aims to inspire schools nationwide to encourage healthy living habits among students aged five to 16. This initiative represents a significant step in fostering health literacy and well-being in Malaysian schools, emphasising both students’ health and sustainability.
Supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the AIA Healthiest Schools programme, which was launched in October 2023, provides free resources that teachers can easily incorporate into their teaching plans. These resources empower teachers to introduce health and well-being concepts effectively into their classrooms, and are open to all government, private and international schools at both primary and secondary levels. The programme includes a competition to motivate participating schools to showcase their impact and success in driving better health outcomes amongst students.
The panel of judges comprises experts from the education field, public health sector, and wellness and community advocacy. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and dedication to advancing student health. The judges are:
- Datuk Nicol David, AIA Malaysia Ambassador
- Dr. Razianna Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Inspector of Schools, Ministry of Education
- Clare Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Industry Collective Outreach
- Cheryl Ann Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Pemimpin Global School Leaders
- Kelvin Tan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Project ID
Datuk Nicol David, former World Squash Champion and AIA Malaysia ambassador, expressed her belief in the positive influence of sports on a child’s development. She shares her excitement to support such a positive cause as a judge, emphasising the importance of instilling healthy lifestyles in schools for a healthier, better, and brighter future for children in Malaysia.
Dr. Razianna Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Inspector of Schools at the Ministry of Education Malaysia, also believes that forming healthy habits helps students cultivate positive behaviours and achieve academic success, which are crucial in their journey towards becoming socially responsible individuals.
The competition is currently open for submissions, offering prizes totalling USD$100,000 to schools demonstrating the best health and wellness efforts. These awards recognise the schools’ initiatives and provide additional resources to support ongoing commitments in student well-being. Submission is free, and the deadline for entries is 8 March 2024.
The AIA Healthiest Schools programme, part of AIA Group’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, was launched in 2022 to bring positive impact to children’s health across the region. The first edition of the programme took place in four of AIA’s 18 markets – Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam.
For more information on the AIA Healthiest Schools programme, teaching resources and competition please visit https://ahs.aia.com/my/en/
