TECHNICAL and vocational institutions (TVET) in the country will start implementing a new HIV/AIDS course in their schools next year.
And the Department of Education supported by the Education Capacity Building Programme of AusAID has distributed 6,000 student resource books and teacher guides to implement the new course.
The course has 40 lessons and was written by a team of technical and vocational school lecturers and Department of Education officers with assistance from the National AIDS Council.
The lessons basically cover information on HIV/AIDS, reproductive sexual health, life skills and safe sex.
All technical and vocational schools in the country will take this course next year.
HIV/AIDS coordinator for technical and vocational schools Kabal Bamne said every institution should plan to teach the new course next year and to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea.
The development of the course is another major step for the Department of Education in implementing its HIV/AIDS policy.
Richard Jones, HIV/AIDS adviser with the Education Capacity Building Programme said: “HIV/AIDS and life skills content is now included from Grades 5 to 12 in the national curriculum and in all TVET and teacher training institutions.
“This is a great achievement for the department and its officers and teachers.”