LIFE PLANNING PROGRAM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE BUI DIVISION OF CAMEROON

Maternal and Child Aid Cameroon has improvised a model to build the character of youth on sexual and reproductive health in secondary schools in the Bui division of Cameroon. Such a model increases students’ knowledge of reproduction, puberty, STDs, healthy relationships, personal safety, and individual responsibilities to respect the rights of others related to sexuality and relationships, ethical behavior, affection, intimacy, enhance their commitment to education, and reduce their rate of delinquency in addition to helping young people acquire skills to make decisions and take care of their sexual health through the Life Planning (LP) program

Maternal and Child Aid Cameroon-Maternity Clinic

 

What is LP? LP is a school based program that engages the mind of young boys and girls to be committed to education, while educating them on sexual and reproductive health. It is an initiative of Maternal and Child Aid Cameroon to address the nation’s economic and health situation by influencing the sexual and reproductive life of youth. “Children of educated parents are more likely to survive”. LP relies on the fact that youths are enrolled in school when they initiate intercourse and implements the IMB (Information, Motivation, Behavioural Skills) Model for behaviorally effective sexual health education. By providing this program early, particularly before the initiation of sexual activity, it is still possible to encourage the formation of healthy reproductive health attitudes and practices instead of changing well-established unhealthy habits. Referrals shall be made to the Maternal and Child Aid health centre for free screening/counseling and subsidized reproductive health supplies.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Class at the Government Bilingual High School Kumbo

 

How does LP work? The project operates in three phases. LP will work with the divisional delegation for secondary education, principals, PTA (Parent Teacher Associations) chairpersons and community leaders. First, educators (volunteers) from the schools will enroll in Sexual and Reproductive Health Trainer’s training Seminar. A hundred volunteers shall be trained. The seminar will train them in sexual life approach, reproductive health rights/concerns and the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship as they relate to sexual life.

Community Health Assessment

 

What shall be the impact of FP? The school may be the only place for adolescents to receive accurate sexual and reproductive information; family members are often unable or unwilling to provide instructions on sexual matters. It is often limited to threats and warnings without explanations. The LP program should:

• Reduce by 80 % school drop outs due to pregnancy
• Raise the number of peer educators
• Increase access to reproductive health services
• Enhance the social climate
• Strengthen students’ commitment to school as the behavior component of the IMB model of effective sexual education will enhance academic performance
• Ensure access to and participation in effective sexual education and prevent or at least reduce the risk of children falling prey to commercial sex
• Prevent, reduce, or control HIV/STD and early pregnancy through efficient and cost-effective school-based education

With close workings and effective implementation over 80 percent of secondary school students would have been reached

Maternal and Child Aid will scientifically measure the success of the program. It will use student self-reports of their own sexual behavior, teacher observations, grade records, school discipline records local pregnancy and STD rates.

Improved sexual character can last a lifetime and bestow crucial benefits. Effective sexual education breeds self sufficiency since character requires reliance on one’s internalized values. It enhances the quality of education by reducing time that teachers spend on discipline and brightening the social atmosphere. It strengthens families as members learn to show more respect and thoughtfulness for each other. It reduces the chance of high-risk behaviors, equip young people, not just with factual information, but also with the tools to adopt behaviours that enable them to reduce sexual health problems (e.g. unintended pregnancy, STD/HIV infection) and enhance sexual health. Ultimately, it enables children to attain the potential that lies within them.

We would welcome the opportunity to partner with (any individual, institution or organization) in improving the character of Bui secondary school youth.