UNESCO, GirlUp Africa train over 1,000 teachers in health education across Ebonyi State

Ebonyi State, Nigeria – In a significant move to empower adolescents through health education, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and GirlUp Africa have initiated a training program for 1,111 teachers across the state. The program, launched under the UNESCO 03 Family Life and HIV Education initiative, aims to equip teachers with the skills necessary to educate adolescents on various health topics.

The training, which targets teachers in the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi, is part of a broader mission to improve adolescent education, both in schools and in communities. During the program’s launch on October 24, Commissioner for Education Awo Nwobasi highlighted the critical role of teachers in shaping the future. “Investing in teachers is investing in our collective future. Teachers play an essential role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation,” Nwobasi said, through a representative, Chinyere Eziuloh, Director at the State Ministry of Education.

The initiative is also seen as a way to foster well-being among students. Chikaodi Omokide, Executive Director of GirlUp Africa in Ebonyi, emphasized the importance of promoting physical, emotional, and mental health among adolescents. “We are partnering with UNESCO to train 1,111 teachers, equipping them with the knowledge to guide adolescents in managing their well-being,” Omokide stated.

The Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) Chairman, Patience Ogodo, expressed support for the initiative. Represented by UBEB Secretary Livinus Ezeuwah, Ogodo said, “This program is timely, and we are committed to ensuring that such trainings continue to build capacity for our teachers.”

One of the participants, Friday Ogah, a teacher from Community Secondary School in Ikwo Local Government Area, expressed enthusiasm about the knowledge gained. “I am committed to passing on the lessons learned to my colleagues and ensuring our students benefit from this valuable program,” Ogah said.

The UNESCO and GirlUp Africa partnership aims to improve health education and empower teachers to make a lasting impact on their communities.