The equipment will then be used in Pilot Teen Centers in this city, in support of the Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) Program of the Department of Education (DepEd) which has been incorporated into the program of study of public secondary schools within the city.
The Pilot Teen Centers identified were the Sta. Rita National High School, New Cabalan National High School and Barretto National High School.
These Teen Centers will each receive a complete set of desktop computer, printer, a digital camera, colored CTV and DVD Player. UNFPA also donated learning materials and video documentaries that provide information on adolescent reproductive health last year.
This will be used in the education of in and out-of-school youths on reproductive health, sexuality and teenage pregnancy and prevent incidences of sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV and AIDS.
ARH is among the priority concerns of Mayor James Gordon Jr.
According to Dyezebel Dado, city project coordinator of UNFPA in Olongapo, “UNFPA is closely coordinating with the city government and in consultation with DepEd to enhance integration of RH concepts in their school curriculum.
They also facilitated the conduct of ARH trainings of the youth and teachers from pilot and non-pilot schools in the city.”
For the first time, UNFPA will sponsor a Peer Counseling Program in March this year. This program aims to reach out to the adolescents and openly discuss issues regarding adolescent reproductive health.
“Additional teachers will be trained on the enhanced ARH curriculum for this year,” added Dado.
