…to be part of secondary schools curriculum
‘TRANSFORMING our classrooms though Health and Family Life Education (HFLE)’ is the theme of a two-week workshop, started yesterday at Regency Suites Hotel, and Education Minister Shaik Baksh said HFLE will be a time-tabled subject in the secondary school curriculum.
The introduction is in keeping with the Ministry’s thrust to promote child-friendly school environments.
Baksh had earlier this year promised to promote safe, positive and acceptable behaviours in schools and that the programme will come on stream sooner than later to address students’ undisciplined behaviour in a more holistic way.
The workshop involved Education Ministry officials, representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 30 teachers and educators from Regions Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).
Those participating will be awarded Continued Professional Development (CPD) credits.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Programme, Phase 11 (GHARP 11), funded by the US President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Phase one of this pilot programme is expected to focus on training a cadre of teachers/ educators to deliver the HFLE curriculum in classrooms using interactive and student friendly methodologies.
The expected outcome is that all participants will be fully equipped with skills and knowledge to smoothly implement the HFLE as a way to combat the growing incidence of violence, substance abuse and irresponsible sexual activity – which lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
The objectives of the workshops are to provide participants with an overview of the nature and goals of HFLE; to provide participants with knowledge and skills to implement HFLE in their classrooms; to provide participants with the opportunity to practice teaching the common curriculum lessons with other teachers and learn useful strategies and other tips for teaching the same; and to assist participants in developing competence in equipping students with the necessary skills to make decisions and to deal with life dilemmas using common lessons.
The consensus among the gathering was that these factors affect academic performance and school attendance, as well as, by extension, the ability of the individual to fulfill his potential.
The Education Minister stressed that a broad approach is necessary to address these issues and allow youths to not only fulfill their potential, but also make meaningful contributions to society.
He also noted that those being exposed to the training had a serious role to play since they can identify the needs of the students and can assist in developing a HFLE programme that is balanced.
This new ‘balanced’ programme, Baksh said, will have an impact and does not have to interfere with the regular curriculum.
The Education Minister noted that too much time is lost, especially at the end of terms, when teachers are busy marking scripts.
In this light, he said these down times can be used to roll out the HFLE programme.
Baksh added that for the next academic year, it is not only the 30 schools which should be involved; rather other schools need to come on board.
He urged more partnerships and noted that the Ministry of Education cannot do this alone, since HFLE is a concept that crosses many borders.
HFLE, Baksh said, is key to advancing change, and he noted that strict monitoring and evaluation will be done.
According to him, at the end of one year, consultants will be brought in to assess how well the project worked and how well the participants have been able to implement the HFLE programme.
The Minister explained that the programme, which includes components that address several areas of topical interest, namely moral, civic, human rights and HIV/AIDS education, was met with resistance from some head teachers who were of the view that the curriculum should focus on the academic subjects.
However, he said gone are days of that line of thinking, and stressed that the current programme can be modularized and should be imparted in the latter weeks of every term to keep students meaningfully occupied.
He made it clear that this, and other initiatives, require the assistance from all stakeholders.

Opportunity for Change

Also speaking at the opening of the workshop was UNICEF Representative Dr. Suleiman Braimoh, who observed that the participants have the opportunity to contribute to necessary change in Guyana.
He pointed out that without behaviour change, the different programmes being rolled out will not be effective.
“We know behaviour change arises from knowledge and information,” Braimoh said.
The UNICEF Representative added that implanting such a programme in school will go a long way and is more likely to be successful, since it targets the individual at an early age.
According to Braimoh, while HFLE is anchored in the Education Ministry, other government agencies need to be involved, since HFLE extends to several areas.
He also pledged his organization’s unfettered support in helping the Ministry of Education promote safe and disciplined school environments that facilitate learning.
CARICOM Programme Director, Dr. Morella Joseph, one of the facilitators, observed that family values are under constant pressure and noted that drugs, alcohol, obesity, teenage pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS, among other ills, pose a threat to the moral fabric of society.
Every child, she said, is at risk, and she stressed that the HFLE programme provides the ideal approach to addressing these matters.
She called the initiative a long overdue one, and reiterated that the Caribbean youths in their development are facing new challenges, which they are ill-equipped to cope with.
In this context, she noted that the problem this brings affects both the health and well-being of children in unnecessary ways.
“Students need to understand…everyone has a role to play,” Joseph said.
According to her, a comprehensive life skills programme will see productive adults with something to contribute to society, one of many benefits.
The Programme Director added that moves to advance HFLE programmes are also being made in other CARICOM member states.
Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) Chief of Parties, Salivia Bonilla, also spoke at the opening of the workshop which was attended by Acting Chief Education Officer Roopnarine Tewari; Assistant Chief Education Officer Primary, Bibi Ali; Assistant Chief Education Secondary, Melcita Bovell; Principal Education Officer (Georgetown) Marcel Hutson; and other senior education officials and representatives from several non-governmental organizations.