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DIMAPUR — Training on the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) was conducted for teachers of high schools and higher secondary schools registered under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), in all the districts of Nagaland, on September 12 and 15.
The training was jointly organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and NBSE, with the aim to enhance the understanding and skills of teachers to effectively address adolescents in schools and empower them to make healthy choices, an update stated.
On September 12, the training for teachers from the districts of Kohima and Tseminyu was conducted at the Red Cross Society conference hall in Kohima, which was attended by teachers from 58 schools.
The online training for the rest of the districts was conducted on September 15, and attended by 399 participants.
Chairman of NBSE, Asano Sekhose, encouraged the teachers to consider the mental health and challenges faced by students as important subjects.
Sekhose emphasised that teachers are the primary sources to address and help students understand the various physical and psychological changes they go through during adolescence.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]She also encouraged teachers to conduct school-level activities on the topic of HIV/AIDS to ensure that students have correct information and knowledge about it.
She mentioned that the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development, MHRD) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).
Its goal is to equip every adolescent (10 to 19 years) with scientific information, knowledge and life skills to protect themselves from HIV infection and manage concerns related to reproductive and sexual health.
The training began with a detailed presentation on ‘Growing up and adolescence reproductive and sexual health, by Puni Kokho, senior programme manager, National Health Mission (Planning), Nagaland.
Kokho stressed the importance of making adolescents aware of the physical, emotional, and social changes they undergo during adolescence and highlighted the crucial role teachers play during their formative years.
He also informed on the government's support for promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls (10 to 19 years) through providing free sanitary napkins in schools, or offering them at a subsidised rate through accredited social health activists (ASHA).
Addressing the topic of ‘Mental health and substance abuse,’ Suyimtenla Jamir, clinical psychologist, Tele MANAS Cell, State Mental Health Institute Kohima, stressed the importance of mental health wellness and strategies to promote a healthier childhood.
Jamir discussed the various factors, including environmental, psychological, hereditary and biological, that can contribute to the risk of mental illness among children.
On substance abuse, she mentioned that adolescents often start experimenting with alcohol and drugs at a young age due to peer pressure. She encouraged teachers to educate students about the government services available and to contact the child helpline number 1098 for assistance.
On the topic ‘HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017,’ Metevinuo Sakhrie, Joint Director (IEC & MS) NSACS, and Thejangunuo Theunuo, Deputy Director (IEC), NSACS, discussed the various sections of the Act and explained how defaulters could be penalised with fines and imprisonment. It was also mentioned that Nagaland state has an ombudsman with complaint officers in various state offices.
On ‘Basics of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections,’ Dr. MC Longai Phom, Joint Director (STI), NSACS, and Thejangunuo Theunuo, highlighted the routes of HIV transmission and preventive measures against HIV/AIDS. They also addressed the myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS and emphasised the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The training was moderated by K Puthenhenmei, Assistant Director (Youth Affairs), NSACS, who also highlighted the activities conducted by different schools across the state as part of school-level HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives.