NT government yet to ‘come on board’ with funding endometriosis education program for public schools

A special program has visited the Red Centre to dispel myths around endometriosis and pelvic pain for students – but it didn’t go to any public schools. Find out why.

The Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia's Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP) travelled to four schools in Alice Springs in to bust myths around endometriosis.

Educators from a NSW-based not-for-profit organisation have travelled to schools in the Red Centre capital to bust myths around pelvic pain and endometriosis for year 10 students – but were unable to visit any public schools.

Two clinical educators from the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia – Elizabeth Lush and Polly Levinson – travelled to Alice Springs and spoke about the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP) to four independent schools in the town.

Ms Levinson said the duo started at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College on Monday, May 20, then visiting St Philip’s College on Tuesday, before rounding their talks at Araluen Christian College and Yirara College on Thursday.

“Our target audience is Year 10 students and we deliver a 1-1.5 hour interactive program to demystify period and pelvic pain, help students recognise normal or abnormal symptoms,” Ms Levinson said.

“We present a range of evidence-based treatment options, starting from simple things students can start doing right away through to different medications and hormones a doctor might recommend.”

Polly Levinson from PPEP with Araluen Arts College students.

Ms Levinson said endometriosis affected one in seven women and their talk built awareness of the condition, alongside explaining the signs and symptoms of it.

However, they were not able to talk at public schools in Alice Springs, as the Territory government was unwilling to fund PPEP talks, according to Ms Levinson.

“Our program is funded through the federal government for us to visit independent and catholic schools, however each state and territory relies on their state or territory government to provide funding to allow us to visit government schools,” she said.

“The NT government has so far not come on board with a funding agreement which sadly means students at government schools miss out on this important education unless the school funds the program themselves.”

A Northern Territory Department of Education spokesperson said public schools taught students about the topics of reproduction, periods and help-seeking in line with the Australian curriculum.

“The Department of Education has sought to understand the content of the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program and offered to review the program to ensure suitability for NT schools and alignment to the Australian Curriculum,” they said.

“Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia has not yet accepted the department’s offer.

“PPEP-Talk is available to government schools. The 60-90 minute program is priced at $990 per session plus $10 per student. These prices are exclusive of GST.

“Regional engagements may incur travel expenses as well.”