Learning about Living

Learning about Living is implemented in schools and youth centres in Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, and Bauchi states, and was adapted for the Islamic Northern regions. Non-governmental Organisations and government agencies are licensed to use and distribute the programme in school and out of school settings. Learning about Living is designed to work on any regular computer and the One Laptop Per Child equipment.

The electronic adaptation of the Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education (FLHE) curriculum includes factual content presentation in lessons about puberty, body image, family, love, friendship, relationships and society, self-esteem, finding help, communication, personal values, negotiation, decision making, goal setting, assertiveness, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS, gender roles, diversity, religion, arts, law , media, etc. Informational cartoons are designed to provide information, while activities encourage students to develop and reflect on their own viewpoint regarding these topics. Other activities and the SMS question and answer hotline are designed to build related skills.

The accompanying teacher's DVD is intended to assist teachers with how to run the programme. According to Learning about Living, for the programme to succeed it needs an engaged teacher, but this does not require a sexual health or technology expert, rather the programme is designed to assist teachers to facilitate learning. Many of the lessons can be incorporated into other subjects such as creative arts, English language, physical education, biology, civics or any social subjects.

The educational approach used in Learning about Living is "Participatory Learning," in which the student is central to the learning process with the teacher as a facilitator. The student is given as much space as possible to develop his/her own viewpoint through active experience. The mobile phone service enables young people to text questions or use a hotline for personal help (free of charge) and creates an interactive learning environment.

The Learning about Living strategy is based on the idea that behaviour change is accomplished through a combination of correct knowledge, changed attitudes, and skill building. The student at the end of the day is the only one who can decide for him/herself which choices he/she will make and put into action, and that is why it is so important that this programme is given in a student centered and participatory way.

Content can be accessed from the Learning About Living website after contacting the organisation by email at info@learningaboutliving.org to register for a password.

Education, Sexual and reproductive health, Youth

The first independent external evaluation of LaL was conducted in October 2008 and reported that major achievements had been made in all of the core project components. Interest in the concept of Learning about Living led to the possibility of extending and replicating the programme in other countries. The number of SMS’s received from young people exceeded all expectations averaging 50,000 a month.