Community-Based Qualitative Study to Identify Challenges in Implementing Health Promoting Schools Framework in Government Schools of Khordha District, Odisha, India

Background: The WHO asserts every school should be a Health Promoting School (HPS) and laid framework. is constantly working on expanding the number of schools modelled it. status level health promotion needs to explored understand local issues identify key priority areas for policy making towards positive health. study aims explore challenges in implementing HPS framework Government-run Odisha. Method: A qualitative was conducted with grounded theory using an inductive approach. In-depth interview done among nine teachers from six government Khordha district who were selected through purposive sampling. semi-structured open-ended guide science principals (n=9) regarding Codes generated transcript approach WHO-HPS Thematic analysis by Braun Clarke model Quirkos software. Results: Five themes 12 codes identified transcript. respondents had little knowledge about Their perception restricted organizing camps children. (inconsistent recruitment policy, partial implementation tobacco-free schools, outdated syllabus), Coordination community, Healthy (lack interactive repetitive health-related training teachers, first aid box lack supplementation micronutrients like WIFS), Sanitation (inadequate funding maintenance sanitation) emerging issue increased use social media reported our findings. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that health-promoting requires imparting skills orientation existing services, backed adequate firm commitment at state level.