Goa's School Health Programme Intensifies Vision Screening for Students
In a significant push to enhance child healthcare, the state of Goa has screened a total of 84,528 primary and high school students for refractive vision errors under its school health programme since the 2021–22 academic year. This initiative, which had seen low coverage for many years, was notably intensified starting in the 2023-24 period, leading to a substantial increase in screenings and interventions.
Rising Detection and Support for Vision Issues
Over the past six years, refractive errors have been detected in 5,148 school children across Goa. Of these, 3,811 students have been provided with free spectacles under the programme, ensuring that vision problems do not hinder their academic performance. The screenings are conducted by specialists and trained technicians, ensuring accurate diagnoses and appropriate follow-up care.
Expansion of Screening Efforts
The programme's coverage has expanded dramatically in recent years. In 2021-22, only 2,928 students across 29 schools in the state were screened. However, after the state government decided to improve the programme's reach, the numbers surged. In 2023-24, 23,009 children in 288 schools were screened, and in 2024-25, this increased to 30,495 students across 387 schools. Additionally, up to December 2025, another 13,128 children from 175 schools were screened, demonstrating a sustained commitment to child eye health.
Collaborative Training and Screening Initiatives
In 2023, a collaborative effort between the directorate of education and the director of planning and statistics led to a training programme for teachers from government and aided schools across Goa. Conducted by Prasad Netralaya in Udupi, this training empowered teachers to screen approximately two lakh children at the school level for vision issues. Teachers then shortlisted students for further testing, with technicians from the partner hospital visiting the state to conduct detailed examinations.
Comprehensive Health Check-Ups and Challenges
Under the Centre's school health programme, states are encouraged to offer annual health check-ups to school students. The directorate of health services (DHS) is tasked with providing micro-nutrients, vitamin A, iron and folic acid tablets, and de-worming medicine to children. It is also required to record parameters like height and weight for all students. However, in Goa, less than 50% of children enrolled in Classes I to VIII receive these annual health check-ups, highlighting a gap in comprehensive healthcare coverage.
As per the scheme, children must undergo annual health check-ups in schools, with teachers informing parents if any medical intervention is needed. In Goa, the coverage for specific interventions shows mixed results: iron folic acid (IFA) doses were administered to 77% of enrolled students, and deworming tablets were given to 83%. However, the provision of vitamin A tablets was dismal, indicating areas for improvement in nutritional support.
This intensified focus on vision screening and health check-ups underscores Goa's efforts to prioritize student well-being, though challenges remain in achieving full coverage for annual health assessments.
