Incorporating Life Skills in to School Curricula Reaps Benefits for Dowa Girls

Mrs. Luwanga felt that the training helped build her skills in incorporating life skills lessons plans into her other subjects. “Previously it was very difficult for me to teach life skills in my class. But now [after the training], it is very easy for us teachers because we can plan and mainstream life skills education in to our normal lessons,” said Mrs. Luwanga.

Mrs. Luwanga has observed that since she started infusing life skills education into her other subjects, the behavior of the boys towards the girls changed. They work together without despising each other, as many had done previously. Her pupils are now learning about gender and HIV and AIDS issues and are able to relate these issues to their lives. “Previously boys in my class looked down upon girls. So when I started encouraging everyone, especially the girls, to be more assertive and confident in whatever they do, I began noticing great changes in how the boys and girls related to each other. They now regard each other as equals,” added Mrs. Luwanga.

Because of her acquired skills and knowledge, her students (86 pupils, of which 36 are girls) are becoming more knowledgeable on gender relationships and HIV. They also have an opportunity to discuss these issues in the AIDS Toto club she established at the school. The headmaster of the school reported that apart from orienting her fellow teachers on these teaching techniques, she also influenced the school management to start selecting deserving girls to take on leadership positions, such as school prefects, which previously only boys had been considered for.