Private School Girls Research Articles

A Group of Our Own

The schooling experience of Black girls in private schools is complex and nuanced. To explain this unique experience, a composite narrative was written by the first researcher based on the lived experiences of 12 Black female graduates of private schools. The composite narrative design entailed conducting semi-structured interviews. The criterion-based sample gathered using the snowball method included 12 participants who identified as Black female graduates of prekindergarten through grade 12 education (P-12) private schools in the United States. The literature suggests that Black female students need specific support in the school community, a critically conscious school culture, a strong school–home connection, a diverse faculty, and a culturally responsive curriculum that reinforces their identity to ensure a positive learning experience. Through exploration of the racialized schooling experience Black female students have in the classroom, the first author identified what racial cognitive dissonance, resilience, and resistance look like in these students. In consideration of participants’ academic experiences, the researcher explored what role a sense of belonging, support systems, and institutional connections had in their schooling experience. Private schools can use these findings as guidance not only to recruit students, but also to determine what they need to do to retain students and ensure their alumni return as future parents or donors. Finally, private schools that work to create a critically conscious school culture can craft positive learning experiences that produce confident students who feel seen in their school community.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Hesitancy Highly Evident among Caregivers of Girls Attending South African Private Schools.

The viral spread of social media misinformation and disinformation regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination safety has resulted in widespread vaccine hesitancy and suboptimal HPV vaccination uptake. We previously reported that only 19.4% of age-eligible private school girls in South Africa in 2018 had received ≥1 HPV vaccine dose. Here, we report on reasons given by caregivers for why their daughters were unvaccinated. An online survey targeting caregivers of girls in grades 4–7 attending South African private schools was conducted. Caregivers of unvaccinated girls provided the most important reason for their daughter not being vaccinated by either selecting from a list of coded reasons or providing a free text reason. Free text reasons were analysed, coded and added to the list of coded reasons, which were categorised according to broad themes. Frequency distributions of reasons and categories were calculated. Most reasons were related to vaccine hesitancy (61.4%), followed by lack of access to the vaccine (21.3%) and lack of information (15.7%). HPV vaccination coverage among age-eligible girls can be improved by including private-sector schools in the South African HPV vaccination programme, training healthcare providers to advocate for HPV vaccination and extending HPV vaccination advocacy campaigns to include private-sector educators.

Prevalence of Anaemia among Adolescent Girls on Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) and Non WIFS Group in Rural Schools of Mangalore, Karnataka; a Comparative Study

Background: Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme is an initiative to decrease the burden of anaemia among adolescents studying in Government schools.
 Objective: To assess the difference in prevalence of anaemia among Government school-going adolescents girls on WIFS as compared to private school girls not on WIFS.
 Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls, 7th to 10th standard in Government schools (on WIFS) and private schools (not on WIFS). The sample size in each group was 104, selected by multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire, clinical examination and haemoglobin estimation. Chi-square test and Unpaired t test used to compare the categorical and continuous variables respectively.
 Results: The prevalence of anaemia among the school children in government schools was 51% and in the private schools it was 64.4%. The mean haemoglobin was 11.77 ± 1.41 and 11.34 ± 1.49 in government and private school girls, respectively, which was statistically significant (p=0.013).
 Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia among the government school girls was lesser as compared to the private schools girls, suggesting the role of WIFS in the reduction of prevalence of anemia. WIFS programme may be extended to private schools as well.

Awareness of Menstrual Hygiene and Factors Affecting its Practice Among Adolescent Girls in Two Selected Senior Secondary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: In Africa, menstrual hygiene and its practices are still clouded by taboos and sociocultural restrictions, ignorance and illiteracy so that menstruation is viewed in a base manner, and considered dirty and filthy, which requires the isolation of the woman from some normal daily activities. Thus, menstrual hygiene involves the conditions and activities that promote and preserve health during menstruation. This study assessed the awareness of menstrual hygiene and factors affecting its practice among adolescent girls in two selected senior secondary schools in Ogun state, Nigeria. Method: The study utilized quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 150 respondents for the study in the two selected senior secondary schools. Descriptive statistics, correlation and T-test fixed at 0.05 significance level was conducted to give statistical responses to the research hypotheses using SPSS version 21. Result: The result showed that adolescent girls in Babcock University High School (BUHS) and Remo High School (RHS) had advanced knowledge of menstrual hygiene and they had moderate practices of menstrual hygiene, but there were factors like religion and lack of conducive facilities affecting the effective practice among adolescent girls. Furthermore, respondents’ knowledge on menstrual hygiene had no significant positive relationship with practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in private schools and those in public schools (r = .022, p > .01). There was no significant difference between adolescent girls in private and public schools on practice of menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: Adolescent girls in BUHS and RHS had advanced knowledge of menstrual hygiene but moderate menstrual hygiene practices. This may be as a result of factors such as religion and lack of conducive facilities that hinder the effective practice among adolescent girls as identified in the study. Among other recommendations, the school administrations are advised to provide more conducive and appealing facilities for adolescent girls to practise good menstrual hygiene.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SCHOOL GIRLS

Menstruation is a normal physiological process unique to females. Pre-menarche is characterized by physiological, cognitive, and psychological transitions which may be initiated from the midst of their second decade. The onset of puberty/ menstruation in girls tends to change their role in society. Overall inadequate awareness levels accompanied by socio-cultural taboos and prevailing myths and misconceptions about menarche and menstruation have played havoc on human society.
 Objective: The main objective of the study is to diagnose and compare the prevailing level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of adolescent girls studying in government and private schools towards menstrual hygiene and management.
 Material & Methods: This Analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Jouhar Girls High School and Shiblee Grammar School System, Gulberg Branch (private) Faisalabad. A self-administered survey-based questionnaire was developed. Prior formal written approval from school authorities was followed by the pre-planned scheduled visits, explaining the purpose of the study, assuring confidentiality of acquired information, and self-administration of survey-based questionnaires.
 Results: The results indicated that the mean age at menarches of the girls was 13.69±0.95 years. A relatively more percentage of government (59.6%) school respondents followed by private school respondents (57.1%) had satisfactory knowledge about their age of first menarche (p = 0.806). Motivated by the socio-cultural taboos and /or fear or shame a majority of government (59.6%) and private school respondents (57.1%) had satisfactory knowledge about their age of first menarche (p = 0.806). A strong prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) was found in private school girls 87(49.2%) and 21(11.9%), followed by respective percentages of 78(43.8%), 16(9.0%) amongst the government school respondents who recorded their responses as agreed and strongly agreed about the development of reproductive tract infection in the post-menstruation period. As far as the adoption of hygienic practices is concerned a relatively high percentage of government school 28(15.7%) followed by private school 14(7.9%) girls strongly disagreed about changing their absorbent material on daily basis. The development of skin abrasions like rashes, itching, and urinary tract infection was found in a relatively high proportion amongst the government school girls 30(16.9%) followed by private school respondents 18(10.2%) in the post-menstruation period. A most common and alarming unhygienic practice prevalent amongst the government and private school girls was the reuse of absorbent cloth, who responded as agreed and strongly agreed in respective terms as 43(24.2%), 22(12.4%), and 69(39%) and 28(15.8%). 
 Conclusion: The study concluded that the persistent myths, misconceptions, socio-cultural taboos, and unhygienic practices i.e. use of old clothes as absorbent, reuse of absorbent material, and delaying tendency of changing absorbent, amongst the adolescent school girls of government and private institutes which may pose direct adverse health and life quality concerns for the female Pakistani community. The current situation calls for active participatory contributions from education communities to initiate various communication and awareness campaigns regarding pre-menarche knowledge and menstruation management which may aid to strengthen and transform their role as a significant representative of society.

Household Chores or Play Outdoors? The Intersecting Influence of Gender and School Type on Physical Activity Among Indian Adolescents.

Most Indian adolescents, particularly girls and private school students, do not engage in sufficient physical activity (PA). Current understanding of these sociodemographic differences is limited by a focus on exercise, which may not fully capture PA in developing countries. We examined how gender and school type are associated with multiple PA domains and whether associations with gender differ by school type. We randomly selected an equal number of girls and boys (ages 13-16 years) from public and private schools in Southern India (n = 395). Cross-sectional 24-hour time-use surveys measured PA, which was categorized into three domains: chores, errands, and work; play; and transportation. Negative binomial and logistic regression modeled relative differences in domain-specific PA minutes and the probability of engaging in ≥60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), respectively, in the prior 24 hours. Girls and boys were equally likely to meet MVPA recommendations. However, girls spent twice as much active time completing chores, errands, and work (rate ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval = [1.32, 2.98]), while boys spent twice as much active time playing (rate ratio = 2.11, 95% confidence interval = [1.23, 3.62]). Public and private school girls spent more active time in chores, errands, and work than boys; however, gender differences were greater among public school students (p value for interaction <.05). Although comparable MVPA levels for girls and boys are beneficial for physical health, girls may gain fewer cognitive, social, and emotional benefits associated with play. Additional research may clarify why the gendered burden of household responsibilities was greater among public school students. School-based programs to engage girls in active play may help reduce inequities.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among school going adolescent girls in an urban area of Odisha: a cross sectional study

Background: In the life of a female, menarche denotes the beginning of her reproductive capacity. Menstrual hygiene is an issue that every girl has to deal with in her life, but there is lack of awareness on the process of menstruation, the physical and psychological changes associated with puberty and proper requirement for managing menstruation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to December 2016 in the urban field practice area of SCB Medical College. One government high school and one private high school were selected purposively. A purposeful convenience sampling was done to select the girls who were studying in 8th, 9th and 10th standard. Data collected from 165 adolescent school girls using a predesigned, pretested and structured questionnaire. The objective of the present study is to assess the knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among school going adolescent girls and to know about the restrictions imposed upon them during menstruation.Results: Most of the adolescent girls (61.82%) had attained menarche between 13-15 years of age. 59.39% girls were aware about menstruation before menarche. The source of information about menstruation was the mother or elder sister in most of the girls (81.21 %), followed by teachers/friends in case of 18.79 % girls. 84.85% of the girls used only sanitary pad, 4.24% used only cloth and the rest 10.91% used both sanitary pad and cloth during menstruation.Conclusions: Maintenance of menstrual hygiene was better in private school girls as compared to government school girls. Health education sessions about menstrual hygiene should be conducted in the schools for spreading awareness regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

A comparative study of knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene among private and government schools of Jaipur city

Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process to the females but sometimes it is considered as unclean phenomenon in the society. Hence this community based study was carried out with the objective to assess the difference in level of knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene among school going adolescent girls of government and private school.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2017 to April 2018 to find out the difference in prevailing knowledge and practices regarding menstrual hygiene between private and government school going adolescent girls of Jaipur city. Data were collected by the predesigned and pretested structured questionnaire.Results: 87.57% girls from private schools were aware of menstruation prior to attainment of menarche. The difference in knowledge regarding menstruation in students of private and government school was significant. More than three fourth of the participants (76.95%) were from private school use sanitary pad.Conclusions: Knowledge and practice regarding menstruation was better in private school girls as compared to those of government school. Significantly more number of girls in the private schools was using sanitary pads as compared to government school girls.

Menstrual Hygiene: Practice and Challenges Among Adolescent girls of a Private School of Urban Nepal

Background: Menstrual health hygiene management (MHM) is the basic right of every female. In developing countries like Nepal, this right is less understood or utilized. Parental and family influences and hence the societal influences plays vital role in behavioral change. In urban sector, the girls studying in the private schools are mostly from privileged background. So there is a need to observe the pattern of practices among private school girls which reflects the scenarios in privileged urban sector.&#x0D; Aims and Objectives: This study is to explore the practices and challenges for menstrual health hygiene management among adolescent girls of a Private school in Urban Nepal.&#x0D; Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a private school selected purposely in the month of April and May 2019. Girls from grade seven and above were included in the study.&#x0D; Results: All the girls were aware about the process of menstruation. The practices and believes were influenced by their family and facilities provided to them rather knowledge gained at school. All the participants prefer to use disposal pads and 6.3% of participants reported that they use both pads and reusable cloths. Most girls did not change the pads at school (56.2%). All the participants reported that they were hesitant to take help from teachers due to awkwardness.&#x0D; Conclusions: Practices of the individuals is influenced by family beliefs. Again, adolescents spend many hours daily in schools. So strict measures to implement facility in schools for MHM should be taken.

Do private school girls marry rich?

This paper considers for the first time whether there is school-type homogamy, and whether for women there are significant advantages from private schooling as a consequence of school-type homogamy. Its focus is Britain, where a private education is associated with substantial labour market advantages and where access is socially exclusive. We find that privately educated women are 7 percentage points more likely than observably similar state-educated women to marry privately educated men. Privately educated married women have husbands who earn 15% higher pay, according to the BHPS-UKHLS panel (20% at age 42, according to the British Cohort Study). Causation is not established and considerable caution would be needed if interpreting these associations as reflecting causal effects from private schools. The findings nevertheless raise anew the issue of the negative association between Britain’s private schooling and social mobility.

Physical Activity Among Adolescents in India: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers.

Inadequate physical activity (PA) levels are reported in Indian youth, with lowest levels among adolescents, particularly girls. We aimed to identify barriers to and enablers of PA among school children in New Delhi and examine potential differences by gender and school type (government vs. private). A total of 174 students (private school students = 88, 47% girls; government school students = 86, 48% girls) aged 12 to 16 years from two Delhi schools participated in 16 focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted by bilingual moderators. We conducted FGDs separately for girls and boys, for students in Grades VIII and IX, and for private and government schools. We conducted FGDs among government school students in Hindi and translated the transcriptions to English for analysis. We coded transcriptions using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches, guided by the "youth physical activity promotion model." We identified various personal, social, and environmental barriers and enablers. Personal barriers: Private school girls cited body image-related negative consequences of PA participation. Social barriers: Girls from both schools faced more social censure for participating in PA. Environmental barriers: Reduced opportunity for PA in schools was commonly reported across all participants. Personal enablers: All participants reported perceived health benefits of PA. Social enablers: Several participants mentioned active parents and sports role models as motivators for increasing PA. Few environmental enablers were identified. This study highlights the need for further investment in physical activity within schools and for gender-sensitive policies for encouraging PA participation among adolescents in India.

Gender Discrimination in Education Expenditure in Nepal: Evidence from Living Standards Surveys

There is a significant amount of literature on the role of parental gender preferences in determining the level of education expenditure for children. In this study, I examine the effects of such preferences on parents’ education expenditure in Nepal. Using longitudinal data from three Nepal Living Standards Surveys, I apply several decomposition methods to determine the level of bias that parents display in spending on their children's education. I find that parents indeed spend more on boys than girls in both rural and urban areas in Nepal. I also find that this bias is reflected in the higher enrollment levels of boys than girls in private schools.

Nutritional Status, Dietary Practices and Physical Activities among Female Adolescents: A Cross Sectional Study in District Okara, Pakistan

Adolescence is a period between childhood and adulthood and is important period of human growth cycle. During this significant period dietary pattern have important impact on lifetime nutritional status and health. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased at an alarming rate in many parts of the world. The present study was designed to assess the nutritional status, physical activity pattern and dietary Practices among female adolescents in district Okara, Pakistan. A cross sectional study was designed among female adolescents of secondary school. There were 449 students from government schools and 401 were from private schools. Overall private school girls were significantly (p<0.005) taller and heavier than government school girls. Most of the private school students have sedentary lifestyle. Most of the students spend more time on screen than recommended. There was no significant difference in mean BMI of both the schools. There was significant result (p<0.005) of the dietary pattern of both the schools private school adolescents were having greater consumption of fast food than government school due to urbanization and due to socioeconomic differences. Most of the Pakistani adolescent girls do not perform physical activities adequately and have sedentary lifestyle. They spend most of their time on watching TV, using internet and other computer based activities. They also have unhealthy eating pattern. So there is need of implementing some interventions to promote physical activities and healthy eating pattern.

Physical, Social, and Political Inequities Constraining Girls\u2019 Menstrual Management at Schools in Informal Settlements of Nairobi, Kenya

Access to adequate water and sanitation is limited in informal settlements, contributing to girls’ challenges managing menstruation at school, especially when they cannot access materials to absorb menstrual blood and appropriate facilities for hygiene. This study documents differences between girls’ experience of menstruation at public schools (where the Kenyan government provides menstrual pads) and private schools (where pads are not provided) in two informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. Results showed that supply chains to public schools were not reliable, and equitable pad provision was not assured. Girls in private schools struggled to access pads because they were not provided. Sanitation facilities were physically available, but Muslim girls were unable to practice ablution due to the design of toilets in our study schools. Girls experienced fear and anxiety due to harassment from male peers and had incomplete information about menstruation from teachers. Findings suggest that practitioners and policy-makers should acknowledge the diversity of school populations and monitor programs to ensure efforts do not contribute to inequity.

OBESIDADE INFANTIL: UMA RELAÇÃO ENTRE ALUNOS DE UMA ESCOLA PÚBLICA E PARTICULAR

Currently obesity has been treated as a worldwide epidemic, and the increasing number of obese children in Brazilian cities. In most cases, obesity is related to calorie-dense food intake and lack of physical activity. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of obesity and overweight among 136 children of a private and public school aged between 07-10 years. For quantifying, the data were used anthropometric methods such as BMI and waist circumference. The results showed prevalence of adequate weight between girls and boys in public schools, and boys of the particular network. The private school girls had a higher incidence of obesity. However, the public boys had become more obese than boys of the private network. For the variable waist circumference, the highest index was concentrated in the private school and the lowest average rate was established at public school. From the results, it was possible to give support to the management of schools for the use of certain intervention strategies aimed at reducing the number of obese children, thus improving the quality of life for its students and reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

ADOLESCENTES E ALIMENTOS DIET E LIGHT: DEFINIÇÃO, FREQUÊNCIA E RAZÕES PARA O CONSUMO

The aim of this study was to characterize diet and light foodconsumption by adolescents from public and private schools andto identify the level of knowledge about the definition, frequencyand reasons for consumption of these foods. A cross-sectionalstudy was conducted with 284 adolescents aged 13-18 years, ofboth sexes, in a public school and a private school in the southof Sao Paulo/SP. The self-report questionnaire was administeredwith objective questions about the definition of diet and lightfoods, frequency and reasons for consumption. The answersof boys and girls about diet and light food consumption weresimilar for each type of school. Diet and light food consumptionwas higher among adolescents from the private school than thepublic school, both boys and girls. Light food was consumed ingreater proportion than food diet by the adolescents of bothsexes and schools. Public school boys consumed more diet andlight food than girls, which was the opposite in the privateschool. In both schools, frequency of weekly consumption washigher among boys. Although most adolescents of both sexesand schools have marked the correct concept for diet and lightfood, they showed not knowing how to identify differences inthese foods. The most mentioned reason for diet and light foodconsumption by adolescents from both schools and by privateschool girls was health benefits, and for the public school girlswas weight maintenance. DOI: 10.12957/demetra.2015.13918

Mean Difference of Age at Menarche and Body Mass Index among Government and Private High-School Students of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia

Background: The mean age at menarche varies from one setting to another. Individual differences in timing of menarche are associated with age differences in the onset of sexual activity and first pregnancy. The study was conducted to determine the mean difference of age at menarche and body mass index (BMI) among government and private high-school students of Mekelle city. Method: A cross sectional study design was conducted in selected 6 governmental and private schools of Mekelle city. A total of 290 study subjects were interviewed. Systematic random sampling method was used to select study subjects. An independent sample t-test was done for two independent groups to compare age at menarche among governmental and private school girls in relation to various variables. One-way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted on the combined analysis for the relationship between age at menarche and independent variables. Result: The mean age at menarche was 14.24 year ±1.42 SD. The mean age at menarche was one year younger for private school girls compared with government school girls (t=6.2, P<0.001). Time spending sitting in a day (r= −0.25, p<0.001) duration of sleeping (r= -0.13, p=0.03), living in their own house (t= -2.42, P<0.05) were negatively correlated with age at menarche. There was significant difference of age at menarche among the participants maternal education (F=6.0, P<0.001), Father’s education (F=8.45, P<0.001), and father’s job (F=9.55, P<0.001). The mean BMI of the participants was 20.22 ± 2.66 SD. More than quarters of the participants were underweight (26.3%). Conclusion: The mean age of menarche found in this study was higher than the report from other African countries. The mean age at menarche was statically different among the government and private school girls. Time spending sitting, duration of sleeping, living in their own house were negatively correlated with age at menarche.

Anthropometric evaluation of growth variation in urban dwelling female adolescent school children

Introduction: Growth studies among children are important in health planning and policy making, as it has been observed that the interaction between environmental and genetic constitution is manifested in physical growth. The aim of this work was to investigate the variation in growth patterns of adolescent girls from different socioeconomic status attending schools (a private and public schools) in urban Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was undertaken on 320 adolescent female schoolchildren in Lagos, Nigeria. Six anthropometric measurements, such as weight, stature, sitting height, waist circumference, biacromial breadth, and biceps skinfold were taken into consideration observing ISAK protocol for measurement. Results: The results revealed that the private school girls had consistently higher values than the public school girls. Conclusion: This indicates that a consistent variation pattern in growth exists among the girls studied. Therefore there is need for adequate health monitoring during adolescence.

Skeletal frame-size variations in adolescent female Nigerian school children in Lagos

Introduction: Limited information is available about the skeletal frame size of urban-dwelling adolescent female West African children. Aim and Objective: This study assessed variations in skeletal frame-size as estimated from the truncal breadths of adolescent female Nigerian children from two different socioeconomic backgrounds in Lagos. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements of biacromial, bi-iliocristal, bitrochanteric, and chest breadths were taken from 320 adolescent female school children aged 10-17 years selected from public and private schools in Lagos using a systematic random method. The socioeconomic status (SES) of the subjects was classified on the basis of attendance at either fee-paying private or non-fee-paying public schools. Results: The range of skeletal breadth measurements were as follows: Biacromial breadth 32.24 ± 2.01 cm to 34.23 ± 1.35 cm; bi-iliocristal breadth 22.46 ± 1.07 cm to 23.75 ± 1.47 cm; bitrochanteric breadth 24.47 ± 2.22 cm to 28.29 ± 2.10 cm; and chest breadth 18.43 ± 2.14 cm to 19.71 ± 0.75 cm. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean biacromial, bi-iliocristal, bitrochanteric, and chest breadths between age-matched private school girls (PRG) and public school girls (PUG). Conclusion: The observed variations in skeletal frame size among female adolescents may reflect a complex interaction between lifestyle and biological variables existing in this population, suggesting a morphologic uniqueness among the adolescent females of Lagos that calls for further systematic investigation.

Dietary and lifestyle habits among adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia

Purpose – The main purpose of this study was to explore the differences in dietary habits and lifestyle between girls in government and private schools in Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional multistage stratified survey was carried out on schoolgirls aged 12-19 years. The total sample was 512 girls (291 and 221 girls from government and private schools, respectively). A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Findings – The findings revealed that girls in private schools were significantly more likely to consume vegetables, fruits, red meat, and chicken than those in government schools. Furthermore, private schoolgirls were less prone to watch television and use the internet daily than girls in government schools. Originality/value – Intervention for promoting healthy lifestyles in schoolchildren should not exclude private schools.