LSBE Formal Education System

WPF’s LSBE Programme aims to create a platform for adolescents to advocate for their health and rights within the cultural and traditional norms of Pakistan by advocating for the increased support of government and community for adolescents’ health interventions. This programme provides young people (particularly adolescents) with the knowledge, attitudes and life skills required for promoting their well-being, preventing social and health problems and empower them in practicing, achieving and safeguarding their sexual and reproductive health and rights. WPF is implementing this core programme in Pakistan in collaboration with its eight partners, i.e. Pakistan Village Development Programme (PVDP), Participatory Integrated Development Society (PIDS), Awaz Foundation Pakistan (AwazCDS), Sarsabz Foundation, Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS), Transformation & Reflection for Rural Development and Shade. The programme is active in Peshawar, Matiari, Quetta, Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, Vehari, Lahore, Gujranwala, Hyderabad and Sialkot.

Goals

• To advocate and lobby for the inclusion of necessary core Life Skills Based Education in the national curriculum of Pakistan.
• To reach young people (enrolled in formal education systems) by providing specific and appropriate information on Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights information in a culturally sensitive manner
• To create a pool of certified Master Trainers and LSBE Educators across Pakistan

Objectives
The overall objectives of the programme are to:

• contribute towards the improved health and overall well being of school going youth. Specifically, the project aims to improve the health and life skills of school going youth.
• build the capacity of teachers, institutions to address and effectively respond to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues.
• develop and strengthen linkages with formalized groups that lobby for inclusion of LSBE in the curricula as well as bringing changes in youth policies at the national level.

The LSBE programme was initiated in 2003 and concluded in 2008, after which impact assessment was undertaken to evaluate the programme for its effectiveness in targeted districts during the period 2003-2007.

Previously a four year approach was followed where the first year consisted of establishing a solid skill base for each student while the next three years were based on providing age-appropriate information on 2-3 important issues/topics that adolescents experienced at every age level. However, the four year programme approach required long term commitment by WPF on one hand and on the other hand it was difficult for the schools and teachers to commit for four years due to frequent transfers of staff. This often resulted in drop outs of schools and loss of LSBE trained teachers. Accordingly, from 2009 onwards WPF with its partners adopted the “Whole School” approach where by all the young people (from 7th- 10th grades) were reached out simultaneously in already selected schools.

WPF has developed a one year curriculum on two levels for young people from 7th to 10th grades. The details are as follows:

LSBE – Level 1: 3 months’ curriculum – 12 lessons The first level provides the students with information and education on basic Life Skills including Self esteem, Values, Communication Skills, Understanding Emotions, Decision-Making, Peer Pressure, Understanding Risks and Understanding Gender.

SRHR – Level 2: 2 and half months curriculum – 10 lessons The second level is implemented after level one in the same year. The curriculum in this level focuses more on providing information and awareness on SRHR related issues faced by young people and includes the following:

Leadership, Growing up and Puberty, Menstruation and Wet dreams, Sexual Abuse and Violence, Sexual Harassment, HIV & AIDS, Violence Against Women and Role of Boys, Planning a Healthy Family and Early Marriages.

A separate level 2 curriculum is being used for girls and boys.