Adolescent Education Programme

DISTRICT LEVEL ADVOCACY WORKSHOP

What is Adolescence?
AGE GROUP WITH 10 19 YEARS OF AGE ARE CALLED ADOLESCENTS.

What is Adolescence according to WHO

>10-19 YEARS OF AGE AT T R I B U T E S > R A P I D P H Y S I C A L , P S YC H O L O G I C A L , C O G N I T I V E A N D B E H AV I O R A L C H A N G E S A N D D E V E L O P M E N T S I N C L U D I N G >URGE TO EXPERIMENT > AT TA I N M E N T O F S E X U A L M AT U R I T Y > D E V E L O P M E N T O F A D U LT I D E N T I T Y A N D >TRANSITION FROM SOCIO -ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE TO R E L AT I V E I N D E P E N D E N C E

Phases of Adolescence

Early Adolescence: 10-13 years Mid Adolescence : 14-16 years Late Adolescence: 17-19 years

Why focus on Adolescents?

Large human resource (22% population) Caring, supportive environment will promote

optimum development physical, emotional, mental. Their behaviour has impact on National Health Indicators like maternal and infant mortality

Why focus on Adolescents? (contd.)

Adolescents are vulnerable to STIs, HIV/AIDS,

sexual abuse In India 35% of reported AIDS cases are below 25 years of age group (National AIDS Control Organization) Health of girls has inter-generational effect.

Adolescent Concerns

Growing up concerns
Developing an identity Idealism Vs Realism Physical Appearance Building relationships

Resisting peer pressure

Adolescent concerns 1. Growing up concerns

Changes in hormonal secretions causes Acne

(Pimples on face). Many adolescents are unduly worried about this. Changes in reproductive system are a cause of worry as parents and teachers do not talk about this openly. They lack access to information/education and services about reproductive health and safe sexual behavior.

Adolescent concerns 2. Developing an identity

An adolescent wants to develop his / her

identity as an individual. He or She feels confused sometimes that whether he or she is a child or an adult (Because of different behaviour of parents, teachers and relatives at different times)

Adolescent concerns 3. Physical Appearance

An adolescent is very much concerned about

physical appearance. No comments should be given about their being tall & lean, about their being shorter as compared to others of their class, their skin complexion, wearing of spectacles etc. as it may develop inferiority complex in them.

Adolescent concerns 4. Realism vs Idealism

An adolescent begins to understand the social fabric of

his surroundings. He / She starts judging that whatever moral values have been taught to him as a child are not practically being followed by his elders. He / She is depressed by corruption, inequality and other social evils like dowry. Proper guidance is needed at this time. Otherwise the adolescents can be mislead by wrong people.

Adolescent concerns 5. Building Relationships

An adolescent has to be guided properly so as

he / she can chose good friends.

Adolescent concerns 6. Resisting Peer Pressure

Adolescents are under pressure from their friends

circle to do many wrong things which may allure them. An adolescent needs to be taught How to say NO? This is very essential for protecting them against drug abuse.

What is AEP?
It is already implemented in schools. Earlier it

was known as SAEP (School AIDS Education Programme) and it was limited to spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS & that too for only one day (December 01) every year. Now it has been renamed as Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) and it now addresses all the necessary issues that adolescents face including HIV/AIDS.

The Programme
16 hours in one academic session.

Can be taken up as per the convenience of

teachers & students. One male teacher of the school will be an AEP educator for the boys. One female teacher of the school will be an AEP educator for the girls. Separate counselling sessions for boys and girls.

The Programme
16 hours in one academic session does not mean to

have a period adjusted in the time table. We as teachers generally solve many problems and doubts of our students. We can talk to the students for just 5 10 minutes in one sitting. We have to keep in mind that now this is not a general couselling we provide to our students but a specialized counselling for which we have been trained.

Aims & objectives of AEP

To provide necessary sex education to adolescents.

This will aim at clearing the myths about various

changes in their bodies during development. This will improve Maternal and Infant health when these adolescents grow up and build their families. This has to be done in such a way that it does not look obscene and nobody objects to it.

Aims & Objectives of AEP (Contd.)

To spread awareness about HIV / AIDS.

Celebrate world AIDS day on December 01

every year in schools. This programme has achieved marvelous success in Punjab as the new AIDS cases have reduced to a great extent. AIDS awareness has to be continued as the severely affected age group by HIV / AIDS is still 15 24 years.

Aims & objectives of AEP (Contd.)

To spread awareness about ill effects of Drug abuse.

They need to be taught to say NO to their peers who

use drugs and ask them to try. They have to be told about the connection between HIV/AIDS and injectible drugs. Adolescents are sometimes under stress. This is the time when they can enter the drug network. They should be motivated to talk about their problems with their teacher so that the teacher can help them manage their stress.

Aims & objectives of AEP (Contd.) Upbringing Problems

Usually girls are brought up in a traditional set

up & protected. Boys are brought up in a more open set up and are allowed to do anything in the name of manhood. This results in social problems of eve teasing, drug abuse in boys, rash drivers on roads, accidents etc. AEP aims at making the boys humble, sensible and responsible.

Aims & objectives of AEP (Contd.) Social media

General awareness about genuine use of

mobile phones has to be provided. Awareness about not sharing their photographs on social networks like facebook has to be provided.

Aims & objectives of aep (Contd.) Choice of Vocation

This programme aims at providing help to

adolescents about the choice of their careers. Sometimes they are under extreme pressure from parents / relatives to take up a particular career path which they do not like. Parents should also be involved in this process and the student should be helped to take up the career path according to his / her choice.

Aims & Objectives of AEP (Contd.)

Generally the adolescents are very patriotic.

They are often depressed about corruption etc. in the

system. They are very vulnerable to be exploited by anti - social & anti - national forces. We have to take care of this aspect by clearing their doubts if any.

Aims & Objective of AEP (Contd.)

To provide accurate age appropriate information

to school going children between age of 14-19 on adolescence and growing up. To reinforce existing positive behavior and instill life skills that enable young people to protect themselves.

Aims & Objectives of AEP (Contd.)

The ultimate aim is to help our

adolescents to transform into responsible, sensible, stress free and good human beings & good citizens.

 THANK YOU ALL.