No fewer than 250 teachers drawn from five states across the federation have undergone a two-day capacity building workshop on HIV Education and Family Life (FLHE) by the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna.
The training was a collaboration between NTI and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Prof. Musa Garb-Maitafsir, Director and Chief Executive of NTI, disclosed this in Kaduna, while declaring open the training, which was simultaneously held in Kaduna, Cross-River, Imo, Lagos and Taraba States.
He said that the training was in line with the statutory provisions of the Institute, adding, “the collaboration with UNESCO was strategic as the training of 250 teachers.
”It focused on Basic Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Home Economics , Civic Education and Religious Studies.”
Garba-Maitafsir said that the workshop was designed and packaged on Family Life and HIV Education, relationship and society, gender and human rights as well as promoting mental health and well-being.
“HIV Education was far beyond creating awareness about the virus, rather, intended to reduce stigma, discrimination, fear and equipping families with the needed knowledge as well as protecting themselves from the deadly virus.
‘’NTI is committed to promoting the set objectives, as it believes in empowering families with knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions, prevent HIV transmission, provide care and support to the infected individuals,’’ he said.
The chief executive, therefore, urged the participants of the intensive training to cascade the knowledge to their colleagues.
‘’I remain resolute, together we work towards building a world where families are not torn apart by HIV, but rather strengthened through love, empathy and education,’’ Garba-Maitafsir added.
He, however, appreciated the commitment of UNESCO, representatives of Kaduna State Ministry of Education and SUBEBs in the training.
Also speaking, the UNESCO Consultant, Mr Oluwaseun Bamidele, said it was a train-the-trainer workshop, which was expected to build the skills of the participants.
He commended the Institute’s director for his commitment on the workshop and the NTI for collaborating with UNESCO in such an important training.
Malama Maryam Ibrahim, the representative of the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, in a goodwill message, commended the Institute’s effort and commitment in the training.
She urged the participants to step down the training in their respective schools, so that the positive impact would be felt.
Similarly, Hassana Nyalla, the representative of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB ) also commended NTI for supporting the training.
He added that the training, which was also inclusive, took into adequate cognizance of persons with disabilities and had among other objectives, increased teachers’ knowledge of Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE).
It also dwelt on concepts and different approaches for effective delivering and to strengthen capacity of In-service Teachers and FLHE Desk Officers.
This is to enable them to deliver Family Life and HIV Education that responds to the specific needs of adolescents and young people, including those living with disabilities.
NAN reports that the training, scheduled between November 24 and 25, with each of the five states having 50 participants, has an expected outcome of effective use of different approaches to deliver the FLHE concepts to various categories of learners, including learners with disabilities.
