WAEC Syllabus for Health Education 2025

The WAEC examination is approaching, and WAEC has released the syllabus for Health Education to help candidates prepare effectively. The WAEC Syllabus for Health Education outlines the key topics that will be covered in the exam and guides tutors in teaching.

If you haven’t seen the WAEC Syllabus for Health Education yet, this post provides all the details you need. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure proper preparation and increase your chances of excelling in the exam.

Table of Contents

WAEC Syllabus For Health Education

This is a detailed syllabus for WAEC Health Education.

Paper 1: 50 multiple-choice questions, taken in 1 hour for 50 marks.
Paper 2: Two sections—

Section A: Six short-structured questions (30 marks).

Section B: Three essay questions (answer two, 40 marks). Duration: 1 hour.

Paper 3: A practical test for school candidates and a test of practical skills for private candidates. Duration: 1¾ hours.

CONTENTS	NOTES
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION
1. Meaning and Setting for Health Education
(a) Meaning
(b) Setting:	(i) Home-based
(ii) School-based
(iii) Community-based
(iv) Health facility-based
(v) Workplace-based
(c) Meaning of Health Promotion
B. HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
1. Cells and Tissues of the Human Body	Students should visit community health facilities and workplace-based health education programs.
(a) Types of Cells	(i) Somatic cells
(ii) Sex cells
(b) Cell Division	(i) Mitosis
(ii) Meiosis
(c) Cell Differentiation	Formation of tissues, organs, and systems.
(d) Growth and Development	Differences between growth and development should be emphasized. Factors affecting growth and development should be discussed.
2. Sense Organs
(a) Structure and Functions of:	(i) Eye
(ii) Ear
(iii) Skin
(iv) Nose
(v) Tongue
3. Systems of the Body
(a) Skeletal System and Muscles
(i) General Plan of Axial and Appendicular Skeleton	A chart/model of a human skeleton should be examined.
(ii) Functions of the Skeletal System
(iii) Joints: Structure and Types	Emphasis should be on synovial joints.
(iv) Structures and Types of Muscle Tissues	The three different types of muscles should be discussed in relation to their functions.
(v) Movement	Reference should be made to the origin and insertion of muscles in relation to movement.
(b) Circulatory System
(i) Structure and Functions
(ii) Heart, Blood, and Lymph Vessels	Candidates should examine the heart of a dissected mammal.
(iii) Composition of Blood and Lymph	Prepared slides of blood should be observed under a microscope.
(iv) Blood Groups, Rhesus Factor, Hemoglobin, and Genotype	The relevance of these factors in relation to blood transfusion should be mentioned.
(v) Diseases/Disorders of the Circulatory System	Prevention of anemia and arteriosclerosis should be discussed.
(c) Digestive System
(i) Organs and Functions	Candidates should examine the alimentary canal of a dissected mammal.
(ii) Process of Digestion	Digestive enzymes should be discussed in relation to substrates and end products.
(iii) Absorption, Assimilation, and Metabolism	Osmosis and diffusion should be demonstrated and emphasized.
(iv) Diseases/Disorders and Prevention	Proper eating habits should be discussed.
(d) Excretory System
(i) Structure and Functions of Kidney and Skin	Candidates should examine the urinary system of a dissected mammal.
(ii) Process of Urine Formation
(e) Respiratory System
(i) Structure and Functions
(ii) Process of Respiration	Mechanism of breathing and gaseous exchange should be demonstrated.
(iii) Tissue/Cellular Respiration	Candidates should perform an experiment to show that expired air contains more carbon dioxide and water vapor.
(iv) Diseases/Disorders of the Respiratory System and Control
(f) Nervous System
(i) Structure and Functions	The brain, spinal cord, and nerves should be discussed.
(ii) Voluntary and Involuntary Actions	Reflex arc should be studied.
(iii) Diseases/Disorders of the Nervous System
(g) Endocrine System	Charts/models should be used to study gland locations.
(h) Homeostasis	Factors affecting homeostasis should be highlighted.
4. Posture and Postural Defects
(i) Definition and Characteristics
(ii) Determination of Correct Postures	Related to sitting, standing, walking, and lifting.
(iii) Types of Postural Defects	Flat foot, scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis.
(iv) Effects of Incorrect Posture	On physical appearance, organ functions, and body position.
C. PERSONAL HEALTH
1. Meaning and Importance of Physical Health
2. Personal Hygiene
3. Promotion and Maintenance of Health	Factors and roles in maintaining health should be discussed.
4. Health Screening
(a) Eye Defects and Corrections	Myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, presbyopia, squints.
(b) Auditory Defects	Conductive and neurosensory impairment.
(c) Disorders of the Skin
(d) Care of Eye, Ear, and Skin
5. Dental Health Education
(i) Meaning and Types
(ii) Types of Human Teeth	Structure and functions should be discussed.
(iii) Teeth Diseases	Dental caries and gingivitis should be mentioned.
D. COMMUNITY HEALTH
1. Community Health Services
(a) Definition
(b) Providers	Orthodox and traditional health services.
(c) Community Efforts in Health Promotion	Awareness campaigns should be discussed.
2. School Health Programme
(a) Definition
(b) Components	Skill-based health education, healthful school environment, school feeding services, school health and nutrition services, and school-home-community relationships.
(c) Goals and Objectives
(d) Linkages for Promotion	Health Promoting School (HPS), Child-Friendly School (CFS), Focusing Resources on Effective School Health (FRESH), Life Skills (LS), Education for All (EFA).

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