CM launches Adolescence Education Programme to mark AIDS Day

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Dec 2: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister bam Tuki on Tuesday officially launched the Adolescence Education Program (AEP) for the State to mark the World AIDS Day here in a ceremony hosted by the Aruchal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS).

In order to promote holistic adolescent health and empower young people with information, skills and values to make decisions concerning their health, the State government has partnered with UNESCO, New Delhi, in implementing the adolescence education program targeting students of class 8 and 9 in the State.

UNESCO, New Delhi is supporting the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3), formerly CEDPA India to integrate sustaible adolescence education program within the education system of Aruchal Pradesh, an official communiqué informed.

Launching the program, Tuki appreciated the initiative to focus on adolescents from the age group of 10 to 19 for creating awareness in holistic decision making on health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS. He said the young people need to know about the mece of HIV/AIDS and have fair knowledge on preventive measures.

Calling upon all to spread the awareness on HIV/AIDS, Tuki stressed on the responsibilities of elected representatives, elders, teachers and parents in this regard. He appealed all elected representatives to include few words to create awareness whenever they get an opportunity to address the people, especially the young.

“Young people will be equipped with knowledge, skills and values to make responsible choices about their behavior and social responsibilities,” he said.

He also said that issues of adolescent health will be included in B.Ed and syllabus of all recruitment and promotiol examitions.

In a out-of-way initiative, the Chief Minister suggested that a tagline on HIV/AIDS may be composed, which can be used as a salutation while greeting each other as well as to open or conclude a public lecture. He also suggested the concerned department to initiate a SMS-alert system on HIV/AIDS that can be transmitted in bulk to all mobile-phone users.