Learning about Living

Using eLearning and Mobile technologies

to teach SRH Education in Nigeria

Uju Ofomata, OneWorld UK

OneWorld UK

• Lifelines India

• Innovation of ICT and mobile technology

• KAZI560

• Learning about Living

OneWorld UK

3.2 million with HIV/AIDS - 220,000 children

60% of new infections in 15-25 age group

Average age of girls’ first sexual activity is 1327 women die every day from unsafe abortions

80% of these are teenagers

The Situation in Nigeria

Sex is traditionally a very private subject in Nigeria and the discussion of sex with teenagers is often seen as inappropriate… Lack of accurate information about sexual health has meant there are many myths and misconceptions about sex and HIV, contributing to increasing transmission rates as well as stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

AVERT report on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, 2008

Project Goals

Tackle SRH issues & gender inequality by:

• Providing alternatives to gender constructs• Equipping youth with skills and information• Enabling informed decision making• Improving discussion of SRH/gender issues

The Partnership

Girls’ Power Initiative, Nigeria

• Critical support from funders

• Butterfly Works: Education and design specialists behind ‘The World Starts with Me’.

The eLearning Concept

Challenges• Poor Infrastructure (computers/power)

• Support of principals and ministries

• Teacher training and attrition (transfers)

• Poor IT skills of teachers

• Class sizes and inadequate time

• Lack of understanding from parents

Achievements

• Piloted in 16 schools and 1 out of school centre

• Almost 6,500 students used eLearning tool

• More than 250 teachers trained on eLearning tool

• “major achievements have been made in all major project components” (Independent Evaluator)

Factors for Success

• Importance of advocacy at various levels

• Interest and commitment of teachers

• Regular monitoring visits to schools

• Support of principals and state officials

• Effective institutional assessments

• Ability/Availability of trained teachers

Mobile Services

• Built on work of OWUK in Kenya and India

• Two services offered: MyQ and MyA

• Youth can call, text or email the services

• Trained Counsellors respond to the MyQ questions and judge the MyA competition

Challenges

• Disruption caused by network fluctuations

• More boys than girls accessing service

• Reaching rural locations

• Unequal distribution across regions

Achievements

AchievementsType of Questions Submitted to MyQ TOTAL %Body Changes and Hygiene 170 4.3Contraceptives and Family Planning 186 4.7Basic facts on HIV/AIDS 1017 25.7HIV Counselling and Testing 187 4.7Non Reproductive Health medical concerns 984 24.9Prevention 139 3.5Reproductive Health Services 300 7.6Sexual Relationships 220 5.6Transmission 357 9.0

* Covering period Nov ‘08 – Jan ‘09

AchievementsNumber of Answers submitted to MyA Service by Month

• Extend and scale up services

• Advocacy to deepen the relationship with Government agencies and stakeholders

• Pre-Service Training of teachers on eFLHE• Effective documentation of lessons learnt

• Develop an out of school curriculum

Sustainability