REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: LOCAL CONSULTANT- REVIEW AND FINALISATION OF GRADE 8 DRAFT LIFE SKILLS-BASED SEXUALITY EDUCATION SYLLABUS AND DEVELOPMENT OF GRADE 8 SCRIPTED LESSON PLANS IN LESOTHO

SUMMARY 

UNESCO seeks the services of a Local Consultant to support the Lead Consultant during the review and finalisation of Grade 8 Life Skills-Based Sexuality Education (LBSE) syllabus and development Grade 8 scripted lesson plans for the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) Lesotho. The consultancy includes a desk review of the draft syllabus document and other related LBSE documents, filling of identified gaps in collaboration with LBSE subject panel and building their capacity to develop scripted lesson plans.

2. BACKGROUND 

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is mandated to advance Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 4 alongside all other SDGs, which are fully dependent on the effective implementation of SDG4 targets. This includes improving health outcomes through school health which is much broader than conducting random awareness about health issues and making schools outreach centres for health service provision. Deliberate mainstreaming of health education, in particular education for health and well-being in the school curricular harmonises the principle of a healthy and safe learning environment leading to children learning better and educated children making healthy choices. Adolescence is a stage where most young people begin to discover themselves and question the changes they experience physically, emotionally and sexually. It is at this stage
that the education system becomes most relevant as the custodian of accurate information for children and young people to make healthy and informed decisions. It is based on this that the Ministries of Education across the east and southern region affirmed the East and Southern African Ministerial Commitment on ensuring that young people in schools receive age- appropriate and scientifically accurate information about their health and growth through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Lesotho endorsed the commitment and has successfully institutionalised CSE in the school curricular, naming it Life Skills Based Sexuality Education (LBSE).