Moderator’s Note: Dear members, please find below the Consolidated Reply of the query on Life Skills Education among Rural Adolescents

Positioning Sensitive Issues in the Light of Evidence Improves Teachers’ Acceptance, Hazaribag District (from Ragini Pasricha, Vistaar Project, New Delhi)

Trainers from Vistaar's state-based partner expressed concerns about teachers’ comfort levels when they pre-tested their LSE curriculum. However, by drawing teachers' attention to evidence on issues like rampant under-age marriages, risk factors for adolescents during pregnancy and childbirth, and high mortality figures, they were convinced. This experience shows that positioning sensitive issues in the light of evidence makes it easier to gain teachers’ confidence.

Tamil Nadu
Life Skills Education for Adolescents through Community Groups, Namakkal District (from Mary Julie, Buds of Christ, Chennai)

Buds of Christ is implementing LSE for adolescents by forming community groups, and using the Toolkit developed by Family Health International (FHI). They sensitise the parents and village leaders in advance, regarding the need of adolescent education. The programme is scaled up through Community Children’s Groups called Vetri Kootam. Establishment of community groups provides a platform for trainers and facilitators to handle sensitive topics among adolescents.
Andhra Pradesh
Forming Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs) to facilitate Life Skills Education (from Ramesh Ganti, Technical Support Unit (TSU) to Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), Hyderabad)

With the support of State Education Department, APSACS has formed Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs) in high schools and colleges. Student members of RRCs along with facilitating teaching staff go through interactive structured programmes on topics related to LSE including HIV and SRH. Monthly meetings with other students and parents, and involvement of teachers and education department officials, are facilitating wider reach, and buy-in for the programme.
Interactive Teaching-Learning Tools Improves Student Participation in LSE; Nalgonda District (from Dr. Abhay Nirgude, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh)

The Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences has undertaken Adolescence Education Programme in three rural and one urban school of Nalgonda District in Andhra Pradesh. The programme is comprehensive as it not only includes information on Sexual and Reproductive Health but also on nutrition and hygiene. The teachers use participatory teaching-learning tools and interactive methodologies. As a result, students participate actively in the training sessions.

Manipur, Nagaland; Chhattisgarh
Value Based Education for School Children (from S. Samraj, Christian AIDS/HIV National Alliance (CANA), New Delhi)

CANA developed a curriculum on Value Based Education (VBE) for classes 7, 8, 9 and 11. The idea is to provide the right type of sex education to youth and adolescents, based on seven core aspects: peer pressure; self esteem; body and puberty; friendship; good and bad impact of media; purpose of life; abstinence, choices, and HIV. CANA has successfully completed piloting VBE at schools in Manipur, Nagaland and Chhattisgarh, and is currently under scale-up plans. Read More
National
Celebrating Life – A Youth-centred and Flexible Curriculum for College-Based and Out-of-School Youth (from Dr. Maya Mascarenhas, Myrada, Bengaluru)

International Services Association - India (INSA-India) developed “Celebrating Life”, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS) and MYRADA. Involvement of youth is a cornerstone right from the development of the curriculum and through various activity-based exercises. In addition, the curriculum is designed with inbuilt flexibility. Hence, implementers find it useful for college based programmes and with out-of-school rural youth. Read More

Community-based Interventions using Child-centred LSE Toolkit (from Ashok Agarwal, Family Health International (FHI), New Delhi)

FHI has a team of core trainers who support and provide technical assistance to other agencies to implement the LSE toolkit. The toolkit follows a child-centred active learning and participatory approach equipping children with life skills required to make safe choices and lead healthy lifestyles. It also focuses towards linking learning to life. FHI through its community-based interventions in collaboration with local partners has used this toolkit to reach 50,000 children. Read More
Integrating LSE within Existing Curriculum (from Asheema Singh, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Noida)

NIOS is engaged in addressing the issues and concerns of adolescents by opting for an innovative curriculum. They developed learning material enriched with LSE and integrated them within various subject specific content areas. LSE integration is being piloted in five subjects - Hindi, English, Social Science, Science and Home Science at secondary level. Following a positive response, it will now be formally introduced as life skills integrated curriculum. Read More

Multi-pronged Strategy for the Holistic Development of "Adolescent in Community" (from K. L. Khanna, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), New Delhi)

NYKS designs LSE and other programmes for adolescents with a focus on “adolescent in community”. Through camps, Teen Clubs, and other activities, NYKS programmes undertake life skills, career counselling, creative expressions and theatre activities, to promote overall development of both out-of-school and school-going adolescents. Thus, their activities are seen as part of a learning of ethics and values, in an environment that promotes socialisation. Read More

Related Resources

Recommended Documentation
Life Skills Education Toolkit (from Ashok Agarwal, Family Health International (FHI), New Delhi)

Toolkit; Family Health International; in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Available from http://www.fhi.org/en/CountryProfiles/India/indiatools.htm

Toolkit follows a child participatory approach and deals with the “whole child” to equip with life skills required to make safe choices and lead healthy lifestyles.
Catalyzing Change - Improving Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health through DISHA, an Integrated Program in India (from Sushmita Mukherjee, International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), New Delhi)

Report; by Anjala Kanesathasan, Laura J. Cardinal, Erin Pearson, Sreela Das Gupta, Sushmita Mukherjee, Anju Malhotra; International Centre for Research on Women; 2008

Available at http://icrw.org/publications/catalyzing-change

Report includes findings from the DISHA programme and implications for future large-scale programmes for adolescent reproductive health in India
Empowering the people: Development of an HIV peer education model for low literacy rural communities in India (from Dr. Koen Van Rompay, Sahaya International, California; and Durai Selvam, READ India, Perambalur)

Article; by Koen KA Van Rompay et al; Human Resources for Health; 2008

Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-6-6

Concludes that using existing networks, and training women's SHG leaders and barbers as peer-educators are effective and culturally appropriate ways in low-literacy settings.
From Naina Kapur, Advocate and Equality Consultant, Gurgaon
Senses and Soul - a Sexuality Handbook

Handbook; by Sakshi; Contact: Sakshi, 34, Akashneem Marg, DLF Phase-II, Gurgaon, Haryana

The handbook provides some detailed experiential exercises on addressing sexual health issues.
Mirror-Mirror on the Wall... Who am I After All

Documentary Film; by Naina Kapur and Smita Bharti; Public Service Broadcasting Trust; 2007

Available for purchase and rental at http://www.synclinefilmstore.com/movies/movie_detail/67

A creative exploration of segregation and integration of self and sexuality as experienced by students and teachers of an all-girls-school pursuing the pathway to sexual awareness
From Dr. Charulatha Banerjee, Terre des Hommes Foundation, Kolkata
Sanlaap – Facilitating Empowerment of Children through Life Skills

Document; by Terre des Hommes Foundation

Available at ftp://solutionexchange.net.in/public/aids/resource/res19071003.pdf (PDF, Size: 58.2 KB)

A grid to ensure that a child who undergoes the programme even for one week goes back with some information to protect himself/herself from further health risks
Staff Development Training Manual for Caregivers of Institutional Care

Training Module; by Sanlaap supported by Terre des Hommes Foundation ; 2009

Available at http://www.childtrafficking.com/Docs/staff_training.pdf (PDF, Size: 1.1 MB)

A tool for providing guidance and skills to the caregivers in their path of providing care and support to the survivors of trafficking
HIV: Housewives, Professionals at Risk (from Dr. Madan Mani Dhakal, Government Health Service, Sikkim)

Article; by R Vasundara; Times of India; 6 August 2010;

Available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/HIV-Housewives-professionals-at-high-risk-now/articleshow/6263505.cms

Reports an analysis conducted by Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS) emphasising the need to undertake awareness programmes among youth
From Meenakshi Aggarwal, Research Associate
Better Life Options Program

Document; by CEDPA; July 2003

Available at http://www.cedpa.org/images/ENABLE%20pubs/India%20ARH.pdf (PDF, Size: 57 KB)

Programme sought to break gender stereotypes; develop life skills; and build self-esteem, confidence and feelings of self worth in young people.
Teenline: A Comprehensive Counselling Service

Project Document; Child In Need Institute (CINI); 2009

Available at http://www.cinibelgium.org/documents/8_CINI_Teenline.pdf (PDF, Size: 45 KB)

Explains CINI’s Teenline project that provides face-to-face and tele-counselling services for young people, and strengthens network of agencies working for young people
Promoting Change in the Reproductive Behavior of Youth (PRACHAR): Phase I

Project Details; Pathfinder International; Bihar; 2005

Available at http://www.pathfind.org/site/DocServer/India-Prachar_Project.pdf?docID=4261 (PDF Size: 1.27 MB)

Outlines the communication strategies and key points of the PRACHAR project, designed to improve reproductive and sexual behaviour of adolescents in Bihar
Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Field Interventions

Project Details; Population Foundation of India

Available at http://www.popfound.org/rch_5.html

Discusses how youth friendly atmosphere is provided in clinics for adolescents and how sexuality education is imparted during sessions on adolescent reproductive health
Implementation of Adolescent Friendly Health Services in Public Health System in Haryana – A Case Study

Case Study; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and WHO-India; May 2008

Available at http://www.whoindia.org/LinkFiles/Adolescent_Health_and_Development_(AHD)_swach_casestudy.pdf (PDF; Size: 333 KB)

Explains the implementation of adolescent friendly services in a Haryana village by adopting a multi-sectoral approach and using the National ARSH Guidelines under RCH-II


Recommended Organisations and Programmes

From Aarathi, Community Development Foundation (CDF), Gulbarga
Community Development Foundation, Karnataka

29/3 1st Floor, Tulasi Ramdas Mutt Road, Frazer Town, Bengaluru - 560005; Tel: [phone] [e-mail]; http://www.cdfbangalore.mono.net/

Initiated a high school programme at Sedam Taluk of Gulbarga District supported by India Literacy Project and Terre des Hommes, Germany.
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO)

6th & 9th Floor, Chandralok Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi - 110001; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.nacoonline.org/NACO.

Government body working towards control of the HIV epidemic in India and implements National AIDS Control Programme all over the country

National Council on Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Sri Aurobindo Marg New Delhi – 110016, Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; www.ncert.nic.in

An apex resource organisation set up by the Government of India, to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on academic matters related to school education.

From Deepak Kumar Kar, National Rural Health Mission, Guwahati

National Rural Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , New Delhi

 HYPERLINK "http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM.htm" Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road New Delhi 110011;  HYPERLINK "http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM.htm" http://mohfw.nic.in/NRHM.htm

Government flagship programme with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) serving as an interface between the community and the public health system

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

Core - IV, IInd Floor, Scope Minar, Laxmi Nagar District Centre, Delhi - 110 092; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; http://www.nyks.org/regprog.html; Contact: Mr. Paresh Johri, Executive Director, [e-mail]

Working with the non - student rural youth through several regular and special programmes providing then an opportunity to grow and get involved in the nation-building-activities
From Dr. Maya Mascarenhas, Myrada, Bengaluru
International Services Association, Karnataka

5/1 Benson Cross Road, Benson Town, Bangalore 560046; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone];

[e-mail]; http://www.insa-india.org.in/HIV_prevention.htm

Working on HIV prevention education in schools, colleges and for rural youth and developed training curriculum called Celebrating Life based on the 10 Life Skills recommended by UN
MYRADA, Karnataka

H.No.3-7/9, Ground Floor, Near Sanman Lodge, Saraswati Godown, Gulbarga – 585101; Tel: 08472 – 256108; [e-mail]; http://www.myrada.org/projects.htm

Reaches out to people in various districts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh through its various programs and have developed Celebrating Life Curriculum
Tamilnadu State AIDS Control Society (TNSACS)

No. 417, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Phone - 044-28190891 http://www.tnhealth.org/tsaids.htm, www.tansacs.in.

Collaborated with International Services Association (INSA) and MYRADA in developing and implementing the Celebrating Life Curriculum
Shine Foundation, Delhi (from Ananmika Sharma, New Delhi)

B - 90, Panchsheel Vihar, Sheikh Sarai – I, New Delhi – 110017; Tel: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://shine.org.in/skill_development_programme.html

Provides training to women and unemployed youth to teach them life skills which in future can help them to secure employment and supplement their earning capacity.
From Anil Kumar Sukumaran, Orchid, Isleworth, United Kingdom (UK)
State Innovations in Family Planning Services Project Agency (SIFPSA), Uttar Pradesh

Om Kailash Tower, 19-A, Vidhan Sabha Marg, Lucknow – 226001; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail];  http://www.sifpsa.org/ifps_project/activities.htm

Supports the Scheme for Adolescent Counselling for Health (SACH) in Uttar Pradesh in association with MAMTA
MAMTA – Health Institute for Mother and Child; New Delhi

B-5 Greater Kailash Enclave II, New Delhi 110048; Tel: [phone]/30; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.mamta-himc.org/rest_proj.htm

Provides technical support to the Scheme for Adolescent Counselling for Health (SACH) supported by National Rural Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh
Child in Need Institute (CINI), Kolkata (from Ragini Pasricha, Vistaar Project, New Delhi, and Saket Sharma, Child In Need Institute (CINI), Jharkhand)

PO Pailan, Via Joka, Kolkata 700104 West Bengal; Tel: [phone]/8759; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.cini-india.org/br_activities2.asp#Education

Implements several projects like PRAYASH in Jharkhand, and partners with initiatives like Vistaar project on a variety of issues relevant to adolescents

National Institute of Open Schooling (from Asheema Singh, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Noida)

A-24/25, Institutional Area, Sector 62, Noida-201309; [e-mail]; http://www.nios.ac.in/321lesson.htm;

Provides educational opportunities to out-of-school adolescents and other adults through the distance education mode and has developed life skills integrated curriculum.
From Dr. Koen Van Rompay, Sahaya International, California; and Durai Selvam, READ India, Perambalur)
Sahaya International, Inc.; USA

c/o Koen Van Rompay; 2949 Portage Bay Avenue, Apartment #195; Davis, CA 95616; USA; Tel: [phone]; [e-mail]

Have developed a range of cartoon based education materials along with its collaborators including Rural Education and Action Development in Tamil Nadu
Rural Education and Action Development, Tamil Nadu

1926 Sakthi Vinayagar Street; Vilandai, Andimadam 621-801; Perambalur District; Tamil Nadu; Telfax: 91 4331 242583; [e-mail]; http://www.sahaya.org/READ/hiv.html; Contact: Mr. D. Selvam; Secretary/Executive Director

Has implemented a rural HIV peer education programme in Tamil Nadu and trained women’s self help groups and barbers as peer educators
Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) (from Javed Shaikh,Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA),Ranchi)

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC 20036 USA; Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; http://www.cedpa.org/content/publication/detail/2263;

Working extensively on Life Skills Education for in school and out of school adolescents and providing technical assistance to Jharkhand Government for UDAAN Programme
From Shubhangi Sharma, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), New Delhi
Doosara Dashak, Rajasthan

Shivagi Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur - 302004; Tel: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.doosradashak.org/;

The programme is working on the education and development of adolescents in the age group 11-20 years implemented by Foundation for Education and Development
Nirantar, Uttar Pradesh

Sahajani Shiksha Kendra, Teacher's Colony , Madawara, Mehrauni, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh
Phone: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.nirantar.net/sahajani.htm;

Nirantar initiated the Sahajani Shiksha Kendra programme which broadly aims at empowering women and adolescent girls through literacy and education
International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), New Delhi (from Sushmita Mukherjee)

Asia Regional Office, C – 139, Defence Colony, New Delhi, India – 110024, Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://icrw.org/what-we-do/adolescents

Works with focus on improving the well-being of adolescent girls and are implementing the DISHA Programme in Bihar and Jharkhand
Reach India, Patna Service Center, Bihar(from Paramita Chaudhuri, Reach India, Kolkata)

Contact Patna Service Centre

G-2 Badal Apartment, Ramkrishna Path, North SK Puri, P.O. Shrikrishnapuri, Patna -800013; [e-mail]; http://www.reach-india.net/india/index.cfm/india-service-centers/patna-service-centre/

Reach India is imparting the Learning Games capacity building programme to around 6000 girls to empower then to make positive changes in their lives, families, and communities
Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Andhra Pradesh (from Dr. Abhay Nirgude,)

Sreepuram, Narketpally,Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh, Tel: [phone] / 272344

Fax: [phone]; [e-mail]; http://www.kimsmedicalcollege.org/

Has undertaken Adolescent Education Programme in three rural and one urban school of Nalgonda district in Andhra Pradesh
Christian AIDS/HIV National Alliance (CANA), New Delhi (from S. Samraj)

Plot # RZ-61, Palam Vihar, Sector-6, (Near Telephone Exchange), Dwarka, New Delhi - 110075; Tel: [phone]/305/309; [e-mail]; www.cana-india.org

Has been involved in the area of life skills education and Value based Education in Manipur and Nagaland and are scaling up the programme in other States
Ideosync, Haryana (from N. Ramakrishnan, Ideosync Media Combine, Faridabad)

Ideosync Media Combine 177, Ashoka Enclave III, Sector 35, Faridabad – 121003; Tel: [phone]; [e-mail]; www.ideosyncmedia.org;

Ideosync working on issues like Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV awareness and have developed modules like Growing Up,The Time of Our Lives and Badhte Hum
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru(from Manju George, Evangelical Social Action Forum (ESAF), Bengaluru)

Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029, India, Telephone: [phone]/5002, 26564140, 26561811, 26565822; http://www.nimhans.kar.nic.in/;

NIMHANS is a multidisciplinary institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the frontier area of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences