By Segun Adewale in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has pledged to support the expansion of Health Club activities in schools across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as part of efforts to improve adolescent health and wellbeing.
The commitment was made yesterday by the state Commissioner for Education, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, during a advocacy visit by the implementing partners Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI) on the up-scaling of the Health Club Manual to additional schools in Bauchi .
The Commissioner said the ministry would work closely with civil society organisations and development partners to determine a feasible number of schools that would benefit from the expansion.
He assured that the ministry would provide the necessary support within available resources to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
According to him, “The ministry will do all within its power and available resources to support the scaling up of the manual. Looking at the pedigree of the partners and funders, the ministry will also play its role in the advocacy component of the project” .
Earlier, BERI Programme Officer, Muniratu Musa, appealed to the Ministry of Education to approve the expansion of Health Club activities and strengthen age-appropriate sexuality education in schools across the state.
She explained that the project, being implemented in Bauchi and Sokoto states by Plan International Nigeria in partnership with BERI and funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to improve the wellbeing of adolescents, particularly girls, by promoting access to accurate health information, gender equality, adolescent-friendly services and safer learning environments.
According to her, the Health Club Manual provides a standard framework for educating students on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene management, life skills, gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence, and sexual and reproductive health.
Musa said expanding the initiative to more schools would equip adolescents with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions, prevent early and unintended pregnancies, reduce vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, and promote healthy relationships.
She urged the ministry to approve the extension of the Health Club Manual to at least 500 additional schools across Bauchi State, integrate age-appropriate sexuality education into school curricula and Health Club activities, and support the training of teachers and Health Club coordinators.
She also called for the provision of learning materials, strengthened monitoring and supervision, and closer collaboration with development partners to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
According to her, supporting the initiative would improve adolescent health, increase school retention and enhance educational outcomes while empowering young people with essential life skills.
During the visit the commissioner was presented with the copy of “Teachers Facilitation Guide on Adolescent Health, School Related Gender, Based Violence, Mental Health and Referrals Mechanism”.
