The Adolescence and Reproductive Sexual Health Programme (ARSH) will be part of the National Adolescent Programme (NAP) initiated by Human Resources Development ministry in India and funded by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It will be monitored by National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
For the first time, mental depression and aggression among kids will also be addressed in the schools through the programme. There was also a tie-up with the Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (VIMHANS) to prepare the curriculum. Though no textbooks will be prescribed, awareness about these issues will be created among kids through compulsory participatory activities like role plays and life skill based education. Different activities will be assigned for kids at different age level. For example, at KG, students will be taught about hygiene and sanitation through quiz while at middle level, discussions will be made about nutrition by games and at senior level, HIV-AIDS, reproductive and sexual health are the areas to be addressed by role plays.
Kids, however, will not be overburdened with exams on the programme. A set of co-curricular activities like quiz and games will be introduced. The report on ARSH will be sent to all schools affiliated to CBSE across the nation for its implementation. CBSE has been inspired by the lifestyle education introduced by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education this year.
