Aba, Abia State
A three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of secondary school teachers on Family Life and HIV Education has concluded in Aba, with a strong appeal for the integration of the subject into the mainstream school curriculum as a preventive strategy against the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people.
Speaking at the close of the training organised by the Abia State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ABSACA), the agency’s Director-General, Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, emphasised the critical role of teachers in shaping the values, attitudes, and behaviours of adolescents.
She noted that building the capacity of teachers to effectively deliver Family Life and HIV Education will contribute significantly to reducing new infections and promoting informed, responsible decision-making among students.
“Teachers are more than educators — they are mentors and role models. They have the power to shape the next generation into responsible and health-conscious adults,” Dr Ukaegbu stated.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Alex Otti for his consistent support towards youth-focused health programmes, describing his commitment as key to creating a safer and healthier future for young people across the state.
In her technical presentation, Public Health Expert at the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Dr Chinedu Anyanwu, described HIV/AIDS as a “lifestyle-driven but preventable condition.” She stressed that adolescents often struggle with poor access to accurate information due to judgmental attitudes from adults, urging teachers to serve as reliable sources of non-judgmental, age-appropriate guidance.
Dr Anyanwu also called for improved parent-child communication and greater involvement of the media in educating the public, especially the youth, on issues related to reproductive health.
Also speaking, Consultant to ABSACA, Dr Chiukpai Okwara, who delivered a session on Adolescent Lifestyle and Sexual Behaviour, explained that adolescence is a critical phase of transition requiring empathy, proper guidance, and understanding of their psychosocial development. He highlighted the need for adults to support young people with the right tools to navigate challenges relating to sexuality and identity.
In interviews with some of the participating teachers, including Mr. Ezereibe Innocent, Mrs. Rose Okporie, and Mr. Maxwell Nwankwo, the workshop was described as enlightening and timely. They called for regular refresher trainings to strengthen the role of teachers in addressing sensitive but essential health issues in schools.
The training drew 50 teachers from 28 secondary schools across the Abia South Senatorial Zone and it was part of ABSACA’s ongoing efforts to reduce the HIV prevalence rate in the state through education and behavioural change communication.
