UNICEF supports Finland Oman School Walkathon
Learning about child rights and the Sustainable Development Goals
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The UNICEF Walkathon is an annual event at many schools in Finland offering an opportunity to combine sports, education and fundraising.
More recently, it’s also become a tradition at the Finland Oman School in Muscat.
This year, the Walkathon was part of the “Schools on the Move” programme that seeks to establish a physically active culture in Finnish schools.
While learning is the No. 1 priority at schools, international studies have shown that increasing physical activity during school days can have a positive impact on several preconditions of learning – for example: cognitive abilities, ability to focus, behaviour during lessons, and enjoyment at school.
Given that physical activity can be increased considerably without any negative effects on learning results in academic subjects, the Finland Oman School promotes more active school days by having activity-based learning, utilising the school surroundings in teaching, and increasing student participation.
For the first time, UNICEF Oman was also invited to join the fun, using time before the Walkathon to raise awareness about child rights and the Sustainable Development Goals especially in areas related to ending violence against children, inclusion of children with disabilities and climate action.
Sponsors pledged money to local charitable organisations based on the number of laps completed by children and staff.
A total of 500 students walked 949 laps successfully raising about 1,900 OMR for the selected charities.
