In October 2015, the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) launched sexuality Education Curriculum for lower secondary schools.
On behalf of our students, we thanks SchoolNet Uganda (SNU) for spearheading the flow of useful information to our adolescents; at least they can ably make own decisions from an informed points of view!
The best practices for sexuality Education in schools refers to the best ways of imparting sexuality Education in schools to our adolescents.
From experience in my school, at Iganga High School, we have effectively employed the following practices and there’s evidence of positive behavior change among our students.
Through WSWM teachers (Educators)
About 10 teachers went through training as Educators. We effectively share WSWM lessons every week allocated in S.1, S.2, S.3 and S.5. Students have shown growing interest and contribute their ideas positively.
Through Peer Educators
Experience has shown that peer to peer sexuality education creates a positive impact. Adolescent enjoy learning from fellow peer to break the monotony of teachers.
Through parents/community leaders.
The involvement of parents and community leaders can be an eye opener for them as a reminder to play their role both at home ad in the communities they live in. Parents and community leaders get reminded of the Africa –traditional values where the upbringing of a child was everybody’s responsibility.
Through video clips.
Video clips showing various topics such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is a strong learning tool for sexuality education. Other topics such as early pregnancy, child marriages, peer pressure can easily be explored through video clips to enforce sexuality education.
Through Personal Testimonies
Personal testimonies are another best practice for sexuality education in schools. In my school we have won the confidence of students, many volunteer to share moving personal testimonies on club days, WSWM lessons, assemblies which has impacted positively on the school community.
Talk shows/Panel discussion
This is one of the sources of sexuality information the students enjoy most and pick a lot of lessons. Various topics can be handled;
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Causes of school dropout.
The role of adolescents in sexuality education
Peer pressure
Dangers of abortion
Pregnancy for both boys and girls etc
Debate
Almost related to the above is debate. Various topics for debate are available e.g education of a girl-child is an investment. Sexuality education is the duty of parents, the school and the community.
Presentation over assembly
Short poems, drama and speeches with salient messages on sexuality education should become a must on every school assembly.
Students SMS emergency toll free line.
Adolescents often have burning questions which may not be exhausted by the school authority. Availing them with the above where instant answers to questions that perturb them could instantly be answered would be good practice of sexuality education. E.g questions over body changes such as development of breasts, enlargement of sexual organs, menstruation etc could all be answered on line.
Slating a special day in district/school to create awareness for the importance of sexuality education to the youth.
Schools could push for this to become a policy.
A procession with powerful band, banners through the town followed by speeches from stakeholders from education department, parent’s representatives, students’ educators etc would be a good practice to promote sexuality education in schools.
Youth corner
Every school should not suffocate student’s rights to learn; this can be done by opening a Youth Corner.
Through the youth corner pressing questions and suggestions from students could still be answered.
Peers educators could take lead supervised by WSWM teachers.
T-shirts that advocate for sexuality education.
These could be printed by school with attractive message like; “Sexuality education a must for the adolescents”, “Involving parents and community in sexuality education”.
Sexuality education from nursery/kindergarten
The world is developing very fast. NCDC should come out with a simple guided lesson plan for this age group on sexuality e.g it should include written expectations of what pupils should be able to do to protect their sexuality.e.g;
When I’m grown, I will be professional.
When I’ m grown, I will have a church marriage.
When I’m grown, I will be very healthy.
When I’m grown I will have four children etc.
Empowerment of sexuality educators through conferences and courses.
Sexuality educators should be exposed to a lot of literature like journals and newsletters from the youth internationally to widen their scope of experience.
Educators should link up with organizations that help in sexuality education such as WSWM, Youth Alive, Straight talk, etc for more strategies in imparting sexuality education.
Exhibitions:
Where students show case what they have learnt yearly through display of charts, drama, skits, poems as they learn from one another.
