The Leo Club of St. Vincent has undertaken a sex education outreach programme with students at the secondary school level.{{more}}

The programme is the club’s response to its observation of an upsurge in teenage pregnancy, which affects these young mothers’ schooling, their family structure, and creates an added burden on the social infrastructure of the nation.

This activity, which has been organized and facilitated by the club, includes panelists from the Ministry of Health, law enforcement, the Christian society and a teenage mother and parent. The first session was held last Friday, November 13, at the Colonarie Learning Resource Centre for students within the North and Central Windward zone.

The next sessions are to be held on November 27 at the Evesham Learning Resource Centre for students of the Marriaqua zone and on December 4 at the former Barrouallie Secondary School for students of the North and Central Leeward communities.

The club has recognized that the Ministry of Education, schools and other institutions have also addressed this topic with students. However, they do not believe that such a message can be overemphasized as the objective is to equip teens with information which will aid them in making informed decisions about their sexual practices.

The Leo club is a youth-based community service organisation, established in 1985. One of the club’s main mandates is to assist persons who are less fortunate, and aid in addressing social issues which are affecting St. Vincent and the Grenadines.