MAINSTREAMING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY MESSAGES IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Traditionally, reading material in schools has always been structured to hone learner’s reading skills while helping them develop emotional and moral development. Reading can be informative, opening doors to all kinds of new worlds for learners thus promoting imagination and creativity.
The STI approach to literacy and reading in schools takes all this into consideration, but also adds a vital and unique component: equipping learners with competences to solve socio-economic challenges in their society. Reading is incorporated into programs of STI science clubs and transformed into activities that engage school and local communities in addressing daily life challenges, for example Malaria control and prevention, personal and menstrual hygiene, environmental protection etc.
Almost every local community in Uganda is linked to a school, and in almost every family there a young person who goes to school. In all STI programs we therefore look at a leaner and a school as a basic unit for transformation of information and knowledge into activities that lead to socio-economic development of communities. The learner is considered a channel through which we can reach communities en-masse, and for this we use the STI science readers.
Science readers are unique storybooks based on the primary science curriculum. They are prepared to help and encourage pupils to learn about the subject matter and at the same time develop the skill and love for reading at an early age. As learners master the basics of literacy, they acquire knowledge on how to address day-to-day challenges on the subject matter.
These Readers (storybooks) are validated and approved by NCDC
The Readers cover areas like;
- HIV / AIDS
- Child Safety
- Child protection
- Environmental protection
- Personal and Menstrual hygiene
- Malaria Control and Prevention
Goal
To Improve literacy skills, promote knowledge application and life-long learning.
Objectives
To address social-economic challenges in our communities..
To promote literacy among young learners.
To equip learners with important life skills
