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.
1 comment:
How possible is it scale-up your model if it makes meaning with your objectives met?
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