School Health Education in the Face of 21st-Century Challenges

The post-transformation generation of 21st century is living in a world of rapid social, economic, cultural changes, the dynamics of which have an impact on their development and health. Rapid and accelerating transformation of everyday life extends to all institutions of social life, including the school. The consequences of the ongoing transformations are difficulties in adapting the young generation to the constantly changing, unstable reality. The changes taking place in every area of life indicate the need for educational and upbringing activities as part of the socialisation process of the young generation. The school, as an educational environment, is the place where both cultural and health-related patterns of behaviour are developed and perpetuated, with health promotion and health education being the overarching goal. This century has initiated “new” educational thinking, the aim of which is to change individual behaviour and social action. Achieving well-being in all areas of society requires conscious action to increase health potential and its perception – in the declarative and practical dimensions – as a priority value. The challenge for today’s education system is to develop the ability to make health-promoting choices. This is a task for health education, which should become an important task for the school and the teacher being at the centre of school health education.