The World Health Organisation has developed a concept of
ecological health- a notion that health, using a broad
definition, is a product of the societies and environments in
which we live. It is the aim of the WHO to achieve "Health for
All by the Year 2000." This reform agenda incorporates
education as a tool for social change. This study investigates
the role of education in social change, with local and global
health as an objective. The background to the development of
this concept is outlined, as are the social issues that make
this such an important perspective. Theories of social
formation and the role of the school in relation to society are
discussed, and the research that confirms that schools do
"make a difference" reported. Definitions of change, factors
affecting social change and models of change are described.
Factors relating specifically to educational change are outlined
and related to examples of educational change, designed to
promote social change, in Australia. Case studies, composed
of descriptions of schools written by staff members to
illustrate the process of working towards becoming "Healthy
School Communities" and transcripts of interviews, are
analysed to determine the extent and type of change that is
taking place within each school, and how the changes are
happening. Schools reported changes to attitude,
understanding, policies and practice. The analysis is then
discussed, and the conclusion reached that this construct of
education has some useful conceptual frameworks, for the
cultural changes that are occurring in Australia and other
Western cultures.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219504 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Zachara, Coralie Lucia, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Coralie Lucia Zachara |
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