| Summary: | This is an early assessment of BRAC's Adolescent Peer Organised Network (APON)
programme - an initiative towards adolescent-to-adolescent development in order to
acquire and share knowledge through peer organised network. This study aimed to
examine the knowledge of the participants of this programme, measure changes in
their attitude, know status of knowledge dissemination, whether leadership skills are
developed, and know perception of the course participants and others. Data were
collected from 200 adolescents from two areas (team offices) of two regions under
BRAC Education Programme. A half of the sampled adolescents was programme
participants and the rest non-participants. The selected adolescents were interviewed
using structured questionnaire, which contained a test and related questions. Focus
group discussions were also held with the programme participants and their mothers
separately. Findings reveal that the APON course participants had significantly better
knowledge than the non-participants in different social, legal, health and
environmental issues. Their attitude on some issues was positively different than the
non-participants. The course participants disseminated their knowledge to others,
especially among the peer adolescents. The initiative developed leadership quality
among the participants to some extent. The course is being accepted gradually in the
society. This course would benefit the adolescents if they can implement their
knowledge in real life situation, for instance, through linking this course with
occupation and everyday life and continuing the network for longer period.
|
|---|