As one of the activities to kick-start the WSWM 2009 Project cycle, a sensitization workshop for the 50 new schools joining the WSWM 2009 Project cycle was held at MUZARDI (DFI) Mukono (15-16)th Dec , 2008.

Participants were expected to arrive on the evening of Sun 14th Dec 2008 and depart on the morning of Wed 17th Jan 2008.

The Theme of the Workshop was “Improving Academic Performance by addressing the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) challenges in schools through the World Starts With Me (WSWM) program” 

Participating schools were expected to take care of their Head teacher’s round transport and off-pocket allowances where applicable. SchoolNet Uganda and World Population Foundation took care of accommodation, meals and workshop costs.

Workshop Objectives:

The World Starts With Me (WSWM) sensitization workshop for the Head teachers of the new WSWM project schools was aimed at achieving the following objectives:

• To provide the Head teachers an opportunity to brainstorm SRHR (Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights) issues in the schools and the challenges faced by schools in managing the SRHR issues.
• To update the school Head teachers on the SRHR policy for schools by the Ministry of Education & Sports.
• To discuss with School Head teachers why and how SRHR issues directly affect academic performance of the students.
• To introduce to the Head teachers, the WSWM (World Starts With Me) project which comes with an SRHR curriculum as one of the strategies SchoolNet Uganda in partnership with World Population Foundation are using with the support of the Ministry of Education and Sports to address many of the SRHR challenges in schools.
• To take the Head teachers through some of the lessons of WSWM curriculum through hands-on activities so that they have a feel of the curriculum.
• To get ideas and suggestions from the Head teachers on how best to implement the project in their schools.

50 schools were invited, which included:

Arua Public Girls SS (Arua), Arua Town College Girls SS (Arua), Amulia Secondary school (Amulia), Masheruka Girls SS (Bushenyi), Gulu College (Gulu), St. John Buwaya Secondary School (Iganga), Nakanyonyi Girls SS (Jinja), Busedde College (Jinja), Sserwanga Lwanga SSS (Kalangala), Bishop Dunstan Nsubuga Memoriral SS (Kalangala), Angel High School (Kampala), Namirembe Hillside High School (Kampala)
Emma High School (Kampala), Muyenga High School (Kampala), Trinity High School (Kawempe)(Kampala), High Standard Christian SS, Kateera (Kiboga), Kitgum High School(Kitgum), Central Secondary School (Lira), Aloi Secondary School (Lira), St. Herman SS, Kaliisizo (Masaka), Holy Family Kyamuliibwa SS (Masaka), Kako Secondary School (Masaka), Masindi Secondary School (Masindi), Kibibi Standard School (Mpigi), St. Lwanga Vocational and SSS (Mukono), St. Balikuddembe SSS, Kisoga (Mukono), Springfield College (Nakifuma)(Mukono), Lweru Secondary School (Mukono), Namaalu S S (Nakapiripirit), St. Steven Secondary School(Soroti), Orungo High School (Soroti), Rock High School(Tororo), Trinity College Nabbingo (Wakiso), St. Bernadette S S , Kyengera (Wakiso), Nkoowe High School (Wakiso), St. John Buwaya SS (Iganga), Karambi SS (Kasese), USUK S.S (Katakwi), Gombe Community Polytechnic (Mpigi), Alliance High School (Gulu ), Kasubi Secondary School (Wakiso),Yumbe SS (Yumbe), Aringa S.S (Yumbe), Banda SS (Bugiri), St. Mary’s College Lacor (Amur), Pope Paul VI Anaka (Amur) and others.
 

A workshop report will soon be available for download.