By Justina Auta
The Federal Ministry of Education and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are reviewing the Family Life HIV Education (FLHE) Lesson Plan to international standard.
Ms Ngozi Amanze, UNESCO’s National Programme Officer on Education disclosed this on Wednesday during a four-day workshop to develop the FLHE Lesson plans in Abuja.
The initiative is under UNESCO’s Our Rights, Our lives, Our Future (O3 Programme), an adolescent and young people’s education for health and wellbeing project.
Amanze said reviewing the draft lesson plan would guide teachers in delivering accurate information, age and context appropriateness on FLHE.
She said it would also help teachers to comfortably translate the curriculum into learning activities and equip students with the skills and competencies to make informed decisions.
“It is common knowledge that there are pockets of resource materials on FLHE out there, it is also correct to say that majority of them need to be revised in line with international standard.
“The enhanced lesson plan did not only treat disease prevention but presents a positive approach for achieving health and wellbeing.
“It also addresses issues including early pregnancy, puberty, gender-related discrimination, or violence.
“And building confidence in communication and relationships among students, particularly considering the dramatic shifts in information and communication technology,” she said.
Amanze added that the revised guidelines, now proposed knowledge, attitudinal and skills-based learning objectives for all topics, with greater emphasis on the development of critical life skills.
Mrs Viko Martina, Chief Education Officer, National Teachers Institute (NTI) said the FLHE programme would empower teachers with appropriate skills.
“I urge the participants to step down this training to the grassroots, because there are a lot of misconceptions by families and communities on FLHE.
“Because it is mainstreamed into the curriculum, at the end of this workshop, we will have a document that would be usable and impactful to the students,” she said.
Also, Mrs Mabel Babatomi, Senior Education Officer, Teacher’s Development, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said the improved FLHE should be incorporated into the curriculum.
Babatomi represented Mr Olumayowa Aleshin, Director, Teacher Development, UBEC at the event.
She stressed the need to incorporate School Based Management Committees to enable them sensitise communities against myths and misconceptions about FLHE.
“There’s need to take this beyond only incorporating it into the curriculum but to also go towards meeting the school based management committees.
“They will support the teachers in sensitising the communities irrespective of religion, tradition or cultural background on the importance of FLHE,’’ she added.
Malam Aliyu Musa, National President, Basic Education School Health Consult, said improving the FLHE would reduce Sexual and Gender Based Violence, unplanned pregnancies and school dropouts, among others. (NAN)
