In 2007, HIV/AIDS information was incorporated in the curriculum and textbooks of mainstream education at secondary and higher secondary level from grades VI to XII including madrasha (religious schools) and English version schools following the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) curriculum in Bangladesh.
Development of the curriculum and texts followed a bottom up approach with rigorous consultation and sharing with the concerned stakeholders at national, sub-national and community level.
The stakeholders at different levels included: policy makers, program managers, opinion leaders, religious leaders, media people, professionals, civil society, guardians, teachers and students.
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HIV/AIDS information in textbook | Meeting with Education Ministry | Local level sharing meeting |
The process of development of the curriculum and texts involved needs assessment, opinion building dialogues/workshops/meeting with stakeholders at different levels; developing several drafts and sharing those with the stakeholders in workshops/meetings/individual interaction and piloting those in 88 secondary level education institutions through classroom teaching by teachers trained on HIV/AIDS in grades VI to X, preparing the final draft by addressing the piloting results and sharing those with the stakeholders, and finalizing the texts through a high level committee consisting of representatives from different Ministries, Islamic Foundation, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), professionals, educationists, sociologist, psychologist, HIV experts, teachers and guardians. Flowchart of the entire process of development of curriculum and texts is available at Link-B-.pdf
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Students’ opinion | Classroom teaching of HIV/AIDS | Final review of texts by high level committee |
The texts for different grades were developed in an incremental way and in a culturally sensitive manner considering the age and grade of the students. The main features of the texts for different grades are provided in Link-C.pdf
Challenges Faced and How they were Resolved
Key word: Curriculum, texts, bottom up, needs assessment, piloting, stakeholders, sharing and inclusiveness.
Key Elements to the Success
In the context of cultural sensitivity about HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh, it was very challenging to integrate HIV/AIDS in the mainstream school education. The success was made through a bottom up, systematic, strategic, inclusive and professional approach by an experienced and committed team. A few of the elements/approach that are key to success include the following:
High level commitment and unified persistent efforts of the working team and dealing with all difficult situations and barriers professionally with care and patience, and working at odd hours were also key to the success.
The textbooks with HIV/AIDS information |
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Note:
Country: Bangladesh
Sponsor: National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Implementing Agency: PIACT Bangladesh
Management Agency: Save the Children International (then SC USA)
Donor: Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)
Program Areas
Education
HIV/AIDS
Livelihood
PIACT Bangladesh
49/1 Babar Road, Block-B
Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207
Bangladesh