The Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE) program has empowered adolescents in schools to speak up against sexual abuse and other violent acts.
Mrs. Elizabeth Abimbola, Regional Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), South-West, made this known on Wednesday at the CLHE graduation ceremony held at Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan.
Abimbola said that over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population was made up of adolescents and young people.
According to her, it ranges from unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence, genital mutilation, and personality issues, among others.
Abimbola said that CLHE was the replacement for the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) manual taught in schools, but was found not sufficient.
“It is being affected by religious, social, and cultural factors among parents, adolescents, and teachers in the community.
“There were lots of resistance and misconceptions over the topics among parents and guardians, teachers, and the general population.
“PPFN, therefore, reviewed the manual and upgraded it to Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE), which comprises seven modules.
“The new manual is being piloted in FCT, Oyo, and Kaduna States. The programme is Comprehensive Life Skills and Health Education (CLHE), sponsored by PPFN, in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Education (OSMOE),” she said.
Abimbola said that the programme was aimed at creating awareness and teaching the correct, age-appropriate information and quality services on sexual reproductive health and rights among adolescents in schools and out of schools.
According to her, some of the achievements were that students are better informed about Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) than before, as demonstrated in the highly competitive quiz competition.
“Others are improved access to SRH services by adolescents and parents in the PPFN clinic, exposed cases of attempted sexual harassment, parents freely discussing issues on SRH with students, and access clarification in the PPFN clinic,” the Regional Coordinator said.
She said that 700 students were enrolled in 24 secondary schools, and 400 students completed the modules.
Abimbola said that was just the beginning of the programme as it would be scaled up to other local government areas and states within Oyo and in the federation.
“PPFN is set to embark on the research component of the project, which will make an evidence-based proof of concept to include CLHE in the school curriculum in Nigeria,” she said.
In his remarks, Mrs Christiana Abioye, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, appreciated PPFN for the initiative, adding that CLHE had been equipping students with life skills for a better future.
Abioye, represented by Mr Julius Oladapo, Deputy Director, Secondary Education, said: “Without these skills, the students would be a danger to themselves and also put those around them at risk.”
In a goodwill message, Mrs Folasade Oladele, Desk Officer, Adolescent and Youth, Oyo State Ministry of Health, said that the programme had helped to address issues of violence and given voice to victims of abuse.
Also, Mr Oladimeji Olapade, Principal, Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan, commended the organiser of the programme, urging the students to share the knowledge gained with other peers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the graduation ceremony included a quiz competition in which United Mission College (UMC), Ibadan, won the first position, St. Paul’s Anglican College won the second position, and Queen School (Senior School) won the third position.
NAN also reports that 44 champions were decorated, who were peer influencers using the knowledge of CLHE.
