Our Future: Preparing to Teach Sexuality and Life-skills

This manual is part of the “Our Future” series of pupils' and teachers' books. These resources are designed for teachers and anyone else interested in teaching sexuality and life skills in the community, such as peer educators, health practitioners, traditional and religious leaders, and parents.

This manual is designed to equip teachers with a stronger understanding of sexuality, gender, sexual and reproductive health, and HIV and AIDS. It also aims to equip them with the self-awareness, values, and skills required to play an effective role in HIV prevention, care, and impact mitigation in their schools and the community. They can learn about the importance of providing supportive, positive role models, creating a safe learning space, reducing stigma and discrimination, and teaching sexuality and life skills effectively. The training uses an adult interactive learning approach. Participants engage in experiential learning activities to explore their own lives and how their experiences can impact on their work as teachers.

These materials were developed through a project started in 2003, which involved the Ministry of Education, Zambia; the International HIV/AIDS Alliance; Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ); Young, Happy, Healthy and Safe (YHHS); and teachers and learners in grades 4 to 9 from 13 schools in Chipata District, Zambia.