October 30, 2018
Awareness on hepatitis elimination in schools
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), or Madhyamik Board, has decided to make students aware about hepatitis elimination. For this the curriculum of class VIII syllabus is being modified. Stress will be laid on awareness about transmission of hepatitis through sexual intercourse.
This effort by the State Government is in consonance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) aim of eliminating hepatitis from the world by 2030.
A book has been written for the purpose, Swasthya ar Sharirshiksha (‘Health and Physical Education’), jointly by the School Education and Health and Family Welfare Departments. It has been prepared in consultation with medical and education experts
Besides lessons on safe sex and transmission of hepatitis through sex, included in the book are issues faced during teenage years as well as various other related issues faced by children during that period.
The class VIII syllabus has been chosen because that is the period when many get acquainted with these types of issues, and often are misinformed too.
Through the introduction of these topics in the syllabus, the State Government aims at creating a population of healthy, informed individuals, ready to take the plunge into adult life.
Source: Sangbad Pratidin
