National Adolescence Education Programme

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has been organizing Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) under the directives of MHRD since 2005. The Board is implementing AEP training programme in independent schools affiliated to the Board. AEP was launched to address Adolescents needs especially in relation to the health concerns and for the holistic development of the personality.

India has about 225 million adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years, this is a largest ever group of people to make a transition from childhood to adulthood.

Adolescent age is the age of risk because adolescents have very less information about the process of growing-up. Usually they seek information about these issues from their friends and peers.

Initially AEP was launched on pilot basis with UNFPA support. To ensure effective integration of the elements of Adolescence Education in syllabi and textbooks and instructional materials, Co-Curricular approach has been adopted. The National Curriculum Framework 2005 also refers, to AEP as an integral component of the school curriculum.

Objectives of Adolescence Education Programme (AEP)

·         To develop value enhanced Life Skills for coping and managing concerns of adolescence through co-curricular activities (CCA).

·         To provide accurate knowledge to students about process of growing up and to develop healthy attitudes and responsible behaviour towards HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse.

·         To enable students to deal with gender stereotypes and prejudices.

Role of the CBSE

CBSE provides training at three-levels through Master Trainers Training Programme, (MTT) for the resource persons, Nodal Teacher Training (NTT) for teachers & Advocacy Training Programme for the principals.

The main aim of the training is to empower principals, teachers so that they can sensitize and conduct co-curricular activities in schools. The focus of these co-curricular activities is on Life Skills Development in the context of adolescent concerns, so that adolescents can cope up with the realities of life and can make responsible decisions based on complete, accurate, and authentic age-appropriate and culturally sensitive knowledge.  

v  After successful collaboration with UNFPA, NCERT and other agencies, CBSE will independently run this programme with a renewed approach and vigor by assimilating past feedback and newer developments.