In a proactive move to strengthen its Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) initiatives, Ungweru Organization convened a critical engagement session with primary and secondary school teachers alongside the Northern Region Matron for School Health and Nutrition. The meeting, held at Ungweru’s conference room on April 8, 2024, aimed to introduce the organization’s SRH program to educators while gathering their valuable insights to shape its implementation.
Recognizing teachers as frontline stakeholders who interact daily with students, Ungweru prioritized their input to ensure the program aligns with the realities faced by learners. The engagement provided a platform for educators to share their experiences, challenges, and recommendations regarding SRH education in schools.
Zamiwe Nkhoma, the Northern Region Matron for School Health and Nutrition, commended Ungweru for its inclusive approach. “Involving teachers before program rollout is a strategic decision. Their firsthand experiences with learners will help tailor the SRH program to address real needs,” Nkhoma emphasized.
Patricia Nyirenda, Coordinator of Ungweru’s SRH program, described the session as highly beneficial. “This engagement revealed the practical SRH challenges in schools, helping us refine our approach to ensure maximum impact,” Nyirenda explained. She noted that teachers highlighted key issues such as cultural barriers, misinformation among students, and the need for age-appropriate SRH materials.
Participants also discussed strategies to integrate SRH education seamlessly into school curricula while fostering a supportive environment for open discussions. Teachers expressed optimism about the program’s potential to reduce teenage pregnancies, STIs, and school dropouts by empowering learners with accurate information.
Following the successful dialogue, Ungweru plans to incorporate the feedback into its program design before piloting it in selected schools across the Northern Region in Malawi. The organization will also collaborate with the Ministry of Education and local health authorities to ensure sustainability and scalability.
“Our goal is to create a program that not only educates but also builds trust between students, teachers, and health providers,” Nyirenda added.
The engagement underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing adolescent SRH challenges. With teachers as key allies, Ungweru’s initiative is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young learners, equipping them with knowledge to make informed health decisions.
As Malawi continues to grapple with high rates of teenage pregnancies and HIV among youth, such interventions represent a crucial step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and education.