This was a two-pronged project of providing sexuality education for adolescents in order to prevent teenage pregnancy and drop out from schools. It also addressed the issues and ways through which young girls who have dropped out of school can be reintegrated into the educational system. The project worked with students in schools and drop-outs in selected locations. The main thrust was peer education, counselling training and information dissemination through drama and IEC. In general, it focused on the factors that limit young women's educational opportunities and achievements. It was a programme concerned with how dashed hopes may be rehabilitated.

Locations

• Kaduna State (six secondary schools in Zaria);
• Plateau State (four secondary schools in Jos).

Sector/Area

• Adolescent Health, Edcucation.

Sponsor

• The Big Lottery Fund, U.K.

Outcomes/Achievements

• One major achievement of this project is that it has brought the issue of adolescent health and drop-out to the front burner as a critical issue to address in all the ten schools where the project has taken place.
• Student Drama and health Clubs have been set up in many of the schools as a result of the project. This is helping to promote appropriate health information and good health in the schools.
• It has contributed to raising the self-esteem of many of the drop outs who have participated in the project. Many of them have re-registered to complete their secondary education.
• We trained both students and drop outs in peer education and counselling to offer support to each other whenever necessary.
• The project has begun a process of rethink among parents and school authorities on adolescent sexuality issues.
• It has brought school and Ministry (especially in Jos) to talk about the health curriculum needs of schools.

Project Files