Today’s lesson is called Smoking harms your health

Why do you think we choose this topic? We chose it because it is important for young people to understand the facts about cigarettes and diamba, to understand the negative impacts that smoking has on your health and to be able to say no when people around you pressure you to smoke.

After this lesson, you will be able to:

1) State the substances in cigarettes and diamba that harm our health

2) Explain how smoking damages our lungs

3) Reflect on how you might manage peer pressure to smoke

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on the story of the dreamer. This story is about the part of your development from being a child to become an adult when you will seek independence. Independence is an important part of development, but you need to be careful when selecting the opportunities to become independent and not be to open to risks and dangers.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Understand the term independence

2) Explain the story of Yealie and the dangers of she faces

3) Understand how stories like Yealie were developed and produced here in Sierra Leone

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on: Careers- thinking about your future

Why do you think we choose this topic? We have already learned about setting short and long term goals. One important goal to think about and plan for is your future career. What type of work would you enjoy and would be a good fit with your skills? Let’s learn about different types of work and what you can do to develop job skills.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Recap setting a long term goal

2) Define different types of work

3) Explain how gender stereotypes negatively affect job opportunities for women

4) Consider things you can do to develop job skills

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Gangs and Peer Pressure

Can you guess why I chose this topic? It is important for young people to understand the differences between healthy and unhealthy friendships that can cause someone to act in a dangerous or harmful way due to peer pressure. We will take the time to explore why some people join a gang so that we can remove the myths associated with being in a gang. When we understand the consequences of gang membership, we are more likely to be able to resist joining a gang.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define the term peer pressure

2) Describe some of the signs of gang membership

3) Consider why some young people may want to join a gang but most others do not

4) Explain some of the consequences of gang membership

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Internet Safety and Porn

Can you guess why I chose this topic? There is a lot of content on the internet and WhatsApp that contains pictures and videos of naked people and sexual acts. It can be difficult to know what to do when you come across these things online, especially when we are growing up and already curious about bodies and sex. It is important to understand that while it is normal to be curious, it is better to avoid watching porn, especially as teenagers.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define the meaning of pornography

2) Explain why watching porn is unhealthy for adolescents

3) Reflect on why sexting can be risky

4) Explain what the law says about porn

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Family Diversity

Can you guess why I chose this topic? It is natural for adolescents to  notice differences and similarities between your family and other families in your community. All families are unique! In this episode we will learn not to be judgmental of these differences, but instead we will learn to accept and celebrate all the different types of families in Sierra Leone.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1. Describe different kinds of families

2. Reflect on how family members influence young people’s values

3. Consider how young people might feel being excluded

4. Show respect for different kinds of families

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on: Leadership

Why do you think we choose this topic? Everyone will have the chance to be a leader at some point in their lives. Leadership skills allow you to have control of your life and the ability to make things happen.

Leadership gives you opportunities to develop responsibility, to solve problems creatively and to work in a team to achieve a goal. Learning about different leadership styles will help you to think about the type of leader you want to be.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define the term leadership

2) Consider what makes a good leader

3) Describe different leadership styles

4) Reflect on your own leadership style

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Adolescents Rights and Responsibilities

Why do you think we choose this topic? Rights are things every child should have or be able to do. Girls and boys have the same rights. As you grow, you have more responsibility to make choices and use your rights. If we do not know what our rights are, we are less able to make use of them. If we learn about our rights while listening to the lifeskills radio programme, we will know about them, and hopefully we might be able to have access to them and claim them. Remember that life skills have to be practiced. If you want your life to change, YOU have to make the changes.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1. Explain what is meant by the term children’s rights

2. List three laws that affect adolescents

3. Describe how young people can ensure their rights are realized

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on: Setting Goals for your future

Why do you think we choose this topic? Adolescents can use life skills to set goals which will help them to fulfil their dreams in the future! Everyone has different strengths based on their skilled and talents and these are the foundations for helping you to set a goal. Everyone sets different goals for themselves at different stages of their lives and this is very useful. Understanding how to set a goal makes it easier for you to set the right goals at the right time.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Recognize your own skills and abilities

2) Explain the difference between short term and long term goals

3) Describe the six steps to reaching a goal

4) Reflect on some of the challenges in setting a long term goal

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.

Today’s episode will focus on Radical Inclusion in Education

Can you guess why I chose this topic? The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education announced that they would begin an approach of Radical Inclusion in Education to address the barriers blocking certain groups of children and adolescents from going to school. All of us, including teenagers, can do our part to ensure that we promote radical inclusion to ensure that no one feels left out or left behind because of their background or situation.

After this episode, you will be able to:

1) Define what is meant by the term Radical Inclusion in Education

2) Describe the barriers that teenage mothers face in continuing their education

3) Explain ways to support pregnant schoolmates to continue their education

*This podcast is created from the recordings prepared for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Radio Teaching Programme. The programme is coordinated by the Directorate of Non-Formal Education, with support from UNFPA and Irish Aid.