Menstruation, sexuality, puberty – the things that parents and elder people won’t talk about especially educating the young ones as they grow to teenage. “It is hard for a parent to sit her daughter down and talk to her about sexual education, but through AMREF, who are implementing CSE here at King’s College, the situation is changing” these were the words of Mr. Paul Zimo Bamongoyo, the headteacher of Kings College in Western Equatoria State (WES) where AMREF with funding from UNFPA in implementing CSE.
Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them to: realize their health, well-being, and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others, and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives,
Anipai Jenifer (not her real name) is a senior two student, her dream has always been to become a doctor. She dropped out of school at 17 years of age after conceiving, now at 18 she is back to school to resume her studies which she attributes to sessions on sexuality education that built her confidence and made a decision to return to school. The 11 months she spent out of school struggling with pregnancy was an eye opener and shared her experience to educate fellow girls Her 3-months old baby is being supported by a nanny as she goes to school.
“My fellow girls learn from my experience; I wasted eleven months out of school due to pregnancy. Prioritize your studies first and always make the right decisions for your life to earn a better future. I also urge parents to have an open conversation with their children about sexuality and body changes” Anipai advises
Jacinta Justin is in senior four student and a member of the CSE club, just like Anipai, she became pregnant at 14 while in primary 8 and with complications at her age she had to undergo C-Section for delivery and life became was full of challenges for her after delivery.
“I did my primary one to seven in Uganda. My father died and life became difficult, we returned to Yambio while in Primary eight. . I became pregnant, the boy responsible denied the pregnancy., I went to Juba to hustle where I vended water, passion fruit juice, and doughnuts to put food on the table. I later enrolled in school and went to senior two, but things did not work out, I returned to my village in Yambio, did senior three and now in senior 4, The man who inherited my mother has also disowned me, but through well-wishers am pushing on, the CSE Club has taught me a lot I have learned how to approach life differently, how to conduct myself among boys and girls”
Zimo is appealing for more community sensitization on Comprehensive Sexuality Education as the benefits are tangible in making difference in the lives of the girls and their parents. He acknowledges the support from AMREF with funding from UNFPA in implementation of CSE club
“The cases of school dropouts among girls are reducing as a result of CSE clubs and I request partners to support school dropouts with scholastic materials. The results are visible as teenage pregnancy and school dropouts have reduced. Those who had dropped out of now school have courage to return however need to continuously be support”. Zimo notes
Zimo noted that the culture of not openly talking about CSE among parents is driving early involvement of children in sex, adding that such topics only get discussed as a rite of passage especially to those who prepare to get married, stressing that there is a need for concerted force; parents, teachers, and partners to help the school-age going children on CSE,
“ We need to reach more remote areas to make CSE inclusive, and there is need to continuously guide these children, both boys and girls, to help them realize their dreams for a brighter future” he appealed
Futuyo Joseph (not real name) senior four science student said by joining the club he is able to stay away from bad influence group of boys as he has become enlighted.
Headteacher Zimo is appealing for more support to have more teachers trained on CSE as well as their welfare taken care of.
The Director of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Michael Mading, praised the school for a great stride made in implementing CSE saying that if teenage pregnancies are avoided through lessons of CSE, then the ministry of Health will have less burden of tackling high Obstetric Fistula cases in the country.
