SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) triumphs in AIA Healthiest Schools Competition

SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1), a primary school in Putrajaya, Malaysia, has emerged victorious in the prestigious MYR 472,100 AIA Healthiest Schools Competition, underscoring its dedication to student mental wellbeing. The school’s pioneering initiative, the HELPIE app, designed by students for students, impressed judges and advocates alike, securing the top prize among 2,300 participating schools across Asia-Pacific.

Addressing Critical Health Challenges

Founded amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AIA Healthiest Schools Competition aims to promote active lifestyles, mental wellness, and healthy eating habits among schoolchildren. SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1)’s success highlights its commitment to enhancing student health outcomes and fostering a supportive educational environment.

Mohd Saharudin bin Setapa, Project Leader and Teacher at SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1), expressed gratitude and pride at the school’s achievement: “I’m excited and happy to be selected as the winner of the AIA Healthiest Schools competition. Many thanks to AIA for selecting our school. This award is proof of our hard work and making our school the healthiest in our state and our country.”

Lee Yuan Siong, Chief Executive and President of AIA, emphasized the program’s significance in combating prevalent health issues among youth: “Young people today are facing a range of health issues. Lifestyle diseases are now the primary cause of mortality in Asia across all ages, and the rate has been increasing over many years.”

Melati Wijsen, Founder of YOUTHTOPIA and AIA Ambassador, praised SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1)’s initiative as pivotal in shaping a healthier future: “Young people hold the future in their hands. They are the changemakers who will go on to tackle the world’s greatest challenges from pollution to climate change.”

Innovative HELPIE App Redefines Student Wellbeing

The HELPIE app, a brainchild of SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1)’s students and teachers, addresses rising stress levels among students through innovative features. These include stress measurement tools, emotion recognition exercises, and health campaigns, aimed at empowering students to manage their mental health effectively.

The app’s development process involved rigorous research and testing, with positive outcomes observed among its users. According to reports, student stress levels decreased significantly from 34% to 18%, while 92% of students reported improved emotional awareness and wellbeing.

Moving forward, SK Putrajaya Presint 11(1) plans to extend the HELPIE app’s impact beyond its own walls, collaborating with other schools to promote mental wellbeing across communities. This initiative not only marks a significant achievement for the school but also sets a precedent for enhancing student health through innovative educational practices.

The AIA Healthiest Schools Competition, part of AIA’s broader ambition to engage a billion people in healthier living by 2030, continues to inspire educational institutions across Asia-Pacific to prioritize student health and wellness.