PPASL Engages MBSSE Director Of Curriculum Development

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) engaged the Directorate of Curriculum Development at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School at their New England Ville today 11th January 2024.
The objective of the meeting was to know the current status on the implementation of CSE and also to lobby for CSE to be a stand-alone subject in the school curriculum.

The youth officer Mr. Yemeh Koroma explained that PPASL as a non-governmental organization committed to the promotion and provision of Sexual Reproductive Health and Right issues, is concerned about steps made so far by the Ministry in this important venture. He also reiterated that the Association has been engaging the Ministry and other relevant partners to ensure that CSE is fully operational in the country.

Volunteer Development Coordinator Adolphus Beckley explained that in its programme intervention areas focusing on young people the Association has played a significant role in the country in response to different Sexual Reproductive Health challenges confronting young people.

In response, the Director of Curriculum Development at the Ministry Mr. Usman Kamara without mincing words explained that the government has incorporated CSE into the school curriculum in 2022, engaged in building capacity of Teachers in the country to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

He said that even though the manual has been developed, they have not been able to print copies and conduct training and other subsequent activities in the country as required, even though the pilot phase of this engagement has been implemented in Pujehun and Koinadugu Districts respectively.

He said that Comprehensive Sexuality Education is embedded within seven main subjects in the School Curriculum including Social Studies, Integrated Science, English etc.

Based on a request from the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone for CSE to be a stand-alone subject, the Director requested the Association to provide maximum two-page justification for this to be accomplished.
The Planned Parenthood Association, apart from building capacity of Teachers and other stakeholders in the implementation of the CSE will also explore the possibility of printing and distribution of the manuals.
Other Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School personnel who were at the meeting included Research Officers Curriculum Officers and Gender Officer.