Sexual and reproductive health lessons being added to Secondary School textbooks

In alignment to the secondary level school (from class six to ten) textbooks, reproductive health lessons are being added to the curriculum. In regards to this, the Department of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has given the instruction to use the ‘Shahana Cartoon’ in classrooms developed on the rights to adolescent sexuality, reproductive health and gender equality for all. The instruction was given in a recent notice from the DSHE.

As per the notice, the contents of the of UNFPA-produced Shahana cartoon are- adolescent sexuality, reproductive health and rights, and gender equality for all. According to the attached curriculum and guidelines, Shahana cartoon will be used in all the secondary schools of the country as a helpful teaching material as part of the national curriculum of classes from six to nine and ten. CDs of Shahana cartoons have already been sent for distribution in each educational institution to all the district education offices.

It was also mentioned in the DSHE notice that, in order to effectively provide information to adolescent boys and girls about sexuality, reproductive health and rights and gender equality, it has also been instructed that all secondary schools take necessary steps to use the six episodes of Shahana Cartoon along with the relevant chapters in classes from six to nine and ten.

Click here to see the lesson plans and guidelines for the use of Shahana cartoons as a helpful teaching material in the national curriculum for classes from six to nine and ten.

Source: The Daily Prothom Alo