Improving health and nutrition in schools

The Sightsavers-supported School Health Integrated Programming project, known as SHIP, screens schoolchildren for health problems and provides spectacles and treatment where needed.

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13-year-old Zahra got her eyes tested at school in Pakistan, where she received glasses for refractive error. © Sightsavers/Jamshyd Masud

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Children in low and middle income countries miss many days of school every year because of common health issues such as worm infections, short-sightedness or poor nutrition.

Yet these problems can be easily diagnosed and treated if children have access to reliable health services. The School Health Integrated Programming (SHIP) project began with a pilot in 2016, funded by the World Bank, to screen schoolchildren in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal for vision and health problems such as refractive error or worm infections.

The pilot aimed to raise awareness, provide treatment and encourage governments to improve health and nutrition in schools: the goal was to reduce absenteeism and drop-out rates, and boost children’s educational prospects.

How does the programme work?

As part of SHIP, teachers are taught about major eye conditions affecting their region and trained to examine their students and record their findings. Children with vision problems are then referred to a team of mobile optometric technicians, who can travel to the school and provide free spectacles.

Any children found to be suffering from or at risk of worm infections are treated with deworming medication. The teachers are also trained to educate their students about eye health and personal hygiene, with the children encouraged to share what they learn with their families.

A girl, who wears glasses, smiles as she sits in a school corridor.

What are refractive errors?

Refractive errors are eye disorders caused by irregularity in the shape of the eye. This makes it difficult for the eyes to focus images clearly, and vision can become blurred and impaired.

About refractive error
500 million
school days are missed due to health issues
1,946
pairs of spectacles dispensed in Liberia
2,702
teachers trained in Liberia to screen children

Where the programme runs

Zimbabwe

Our most recent SHIP programmes launched in Zimbabwe in 2026. The first pilot ran in February in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The project trained 20 teachers to carry out basic eye tests in classrooms in Umguza district in Matabeleland North.

The second pilot in Zimbabwe’s capital city of Harare will start in May 2026, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. A total of 86 teachers and 35 community health workers will be trained to screen 55,000 schoolchildren aged six to 18 across 43 schools. Eye tests will also be carried out in the local community to ensure children not in school can access quality eye care.

Liberia

The SHIP programme launched in Liberia in 2018 in partnership with Liberia’s Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, with funding from Dubai Cares.

So far, the project has screened more than 159,000 children and trained 16 eye health technicians. The Liberian government is working on integrating SHIP practices into all schools so it can continue providing long-term, sustainable care after the project comes to an end in December 2028.

Arthur smiles in the classroom while wearing his new spectacles.
12-year-old Arthur from Liberia can see clearly again after getting glasses through his school. © Sightsavers/Ahmed Jallanzo

Where else has the programme run?

Pakistan

The Pakistan SHIP programme ran from 2019 until February 2024. More than 800 teaching staff were trained to assess pupils and 175,000 children were screened, with more than 10,000 children receiving glasses. As part of the project, screening guidelines were included in the teachers’ curriculum.

A poster for the film Noor showing the three main actors. The text reads: Selected for best health film.
Sightsavers Pakistan co-produced an award-winning film called ‘Noor’, which was inspired by the SHIP project.

Stories from the programme

Arthur rubs his left eye with his left hand

“I want to be an engineer to earn and help people”

Arthur’s refractive error meant he was struggling at school, but the SHIP project helped him get the glasses he needed. You can help us to help more children.
A girl wearing glasses smiles.
Sightsavers stories

“I feel very good and like wearing glasses”

Twelve-year-old Faryal used to feel dizzy when reading and struggled with her schoolwork. After receiving spectacles through a programme in Pakistan, she can now reach her full potential.
Zahra has her eyes examined.
Sightsavers stories

Bringing eye health into the classroom

Zahra is one of the many children now thriving thanks to a Sightsavers programme to screen school students for eye conditions and health problems.

Want to learn more about our work?

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