Reckitt, a multinational consumer-healthcare company on Tuesday launched ‘The Birds and Bees Talk’ programme in Nagaland for children between the age group of 10-19 years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Shanavas C., principal director, school education department, Nagaland and Ravi, the director of external affairs and partnerships, South Asia, Reckitt.
The Birds and Bees Talk (TBBT) programme is a comprehensive growing up, life skills education curriculum to help make children informed and empower them with critical information that promotes them to grow into responsible healthy adults.
Launched last year with the support of the state governments of Manipur, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, the ‘Birds and Bees Talk’ programme already has a 2-level interactive, animated curriculum that covers growing up and life skills, to promote the core principles of inclusion, awareness, consent, protection, and equity.
It will be executed and implemented across Nagaland in government and private schools to ensure maximum reach and beneficiaries.
While launching the programme, Shanavas C., principal director, school education department, Nagaland said, “We are proud to introduce this comprehensive program in Nagaland as The Birds and Bees Talk, which is the first and a unique curriculum to address the adolescents’ mental health and sexual health in the state.”
“Our vision is to work towards transforming the lives of our youth, preparing them for a better and brighter tomorrow.”
“We are happy to extend all the support and assistance of our department to the project’s success in the state and take this partnership forward,” Shanavas C. said.
Commenting on the launch, director of external affairs and partnerships, South Asia, Reckitt, Ravi Bhatnagar said, “India is a ‘Nation of Youth’, who form more than 60% of our population.”
“Armed with accurate information, education and awareness, adolescents can form the future of the country and bring about the much-required social change.”
“With our focus on the betterment of adolescents, we are proud & honoured to embark on this partnership with the government of Nagaland to launch TBBT, a comprehensive growing up life skills program for adolescents and youth.”
“We are engaging youth by using non-traditional methods such as music, arts, and culture.”
“This year, we are deeply focused on providing solutions such as e-learning system designed for teacher’s training, and a dedicated chatbot platform for Frequently Asked Questions.
“Our aim is to work towards transforming the minds of youth by keeping up with their advancements through education and awareness,” Bhatnagar said.
Mohammed Asif, executive director, Plan India, stated, “Plan India has been working for more than two decades to improve sexual and reproductive health services and rights for all children, adolescent girls and young women and men in different parts of India.”
“In sync with the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) of the Government of India, we believe adolescents and young people must be enabled, equipped and empowered for their holistic development,” Asif said.
Similar to other states, the programme is implemented by Plan India across 6 Northeast states of the country.
Under this curriculum, teachers from the enrolled schools will be appointed & equipped with full programme essentials including teaching methods & lessons.
The unique design of the program comprises 27-hour lessons allowing the schools to teach in a staggered format, spread over the year. The program will help children in developing key skills like critical thinking and analysis, and informed decision-making.