PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The aim of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Physical & Health Education is to prepare the
candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement in the course objectives,
which are to:
1. Acquire basic knowledge and practical skills in motor activities, fitness, body maintenance and self-
awareness;
2. Acquire basic knowledge required to practice positive health habits and maintenance of health;
3. Understand relationship between human movement and biological, physical and social sciences;
4. Appreciate ecological relationship between man and his environment with a view to preventing the
spread of diseases;
5. Stimulate and sustain their interest in Physical and Health Education.

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DETAILED SYLLABUS

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SECTION A: FOUNDATIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. Principles, meaning, scope and philosophy of Candidates should be able to:

Physical Education (PE)
a. Definition, nature, scope and objectives of
PE.
b. Philosophy of the Founding Fathers of PE
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(Hetherington, Dudley Sergent, Thomas
Wood, John Dewey).
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scope of PE;
ii. narrate the philosophy of the Founding
Fathers;
iii. trace the historical development of PE in
ancient Greece, Rome and Nigeria.
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c. History and Development of PE in iv. trace the origin and development of the
i. ancient Greece (Sparta, Athens) and ancient Greek festivals (Isthmian,
Rome. Pythian, Nemian and the Olympian).
ii. Pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial
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eras in Nigeria.

2. Philosophy, objectives and settings of Health Candidates should be able to:

Education i. define health education;
a. Meaning, philosophy and objectives of ii. state the philosophy and objectives of
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Health Education health education;

b. Settings of Health Education iii. differentiate between the meanings of
i. home-based health promotion and health education.
ii. school-based
iii. community based
iv. health facility-based
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v. workplace-based
c. Meaning of Health Promotion

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 SECTION B: HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY IN RELATION TO PHE
S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. Cells, Tissues and Systems of the Human Body Candidates should be able to:
a. Structure and functions of a typical i. identify cell structures and their
human cell functions
b. Types of cell and tissue – Epithelial, ii. identify types of cell, tissue, organ and
connective, muscle and nerve. system in human;
c. Cell division and differentiation – iii. differentiate between mitosis and
mitosis, meiosis meiosis;
d. Organs and systems of the human body. iv. explain cell differentiation
v. list organs and systems in human body.

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2. Skeletal system Candidates should be able to:
a. Axial and appendicular skeletons and i. identify the structure of the human

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their functions skeleton and their functions;
b. Bones and joints involved in movement ii. identify types of bone that make up the
i. Structure and types of bone human skeleton;
ii. Structure and types of joint iii. differentiate types of joint using
iii. Movements at the joints appropriate examples;

3. Muscular System gis iv. identify the different kinds of movement

permitted at joints.

Candidates should be able to:

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a. Major muscles of the body and their i. identify by name and location the major
functions muscles in human;
b. Isometric and Isotonic contractions ii. state the functions of major muscles in
human;
iii. differentiate between isometric and
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isotonic contractions

4. Nervous System and Sense organs Candidates should be able to:

a. The structures and functions of the i. identify the structures of the central
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central nervous system (Brain and nervous system;

Spinal Cord) ii. explain the functions of the central
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b. Types of nerve - voluntary, involuntary nervous system in the body;

(simple reflex action) iii. state the types of nerve;
c. Structure and functions of the sense iv.describe reflex action with specific
organs; examples;
-Skin (tactile/touch) v. describe the structure of the sense
-Nose (olfactory/Smell) organs and their functions.
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-Tongue (taste)
-Ear (auditory/hearing)
-Eye (sight)

5. Circulatory System Candidates should be able to:

a. Structure and functions of the heart and i. draw and label the heart;
vessels; ii. compare the specific functions of the
b. Composition and functions of blood arteries, veins and capillaries;
c. Types of blood circulation (Systemic iii. identify the components of blood;
and pulmonary) iv.state the functions of blood;
v. describe the systemic and pulmonary
circulations;
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 6. Respiratory System Candidates should be able to:
a. Structure and functions of the i. describe the structure of the respiratory
respiratory organs –nose, trachea and organs and state their functions;
lungs; ii. explain the processes of inspiration and
b. Process of respiration –inspiration and expiration;
expiration iii. explain cellular and tissue respiration.
c. Tissue and cellular respiration

7. Excretory System Candidates should be able to:

a. Structure and functions of the kidney, i. identify the structure of the kidney, skin;
skin and excretory functions of lungs; ii. state the functions of the kidney, skin
b. Formation of excretory products –urine, and excretory functions of lungs;

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sweat and carbon-dioxide. iii. explain the processes of formation of
urine, sweat and carbon-dioxide.

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8. Somatotypes and Posture Candidates should be able to:
a. Description of endomorph, mesomorph i. describe the various body types;
and ectomorph; ii. relate body types to performance of
b. Relationship between body types and physical activities;
physical activities. iii. define and state the characteristics of

posture;

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c. Definition and characteristics of correct

d. Types of postural defect –flatfoot,

scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis;
good posture.
iv.explain the types of postural defects;
v. state the causes of postural defects, for
example: poor habits, accident, heredity
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e. Causes and corrective measures of and disease;
postural defects. vi. explain the role of exercise, nutrition,
good habits and medical intervention in
the correction of postural defects.
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SECTION C: THEORY OF PRACTICE OF SPORTS AND GAMES

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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1. Athletics (Track and Field Events) Candidates should be able to:

a. Track Events i. name the events that make up the shot
i. Short distance races/sprints -50m, 100m, distance/sprint races;
200m, 400m, hurdles and relay races. ii. identify starting styles in sprint races;
ii. Sprints start styles–bullet/bunch, medium iii. differentiate the visual and non-visual
and elongated. types of baton take-over;
iii. Visual and non-visual baton take-over iv. explain the relay take-over zone;
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and take over zone in relay. v. explain the different distances and
iv. Flight over hurdles and distancing in clearance in hurdling;
high and low hurdle events. vi. describe the start, stride and finish in
v. The start, stride and finish in middle middle and long distance races.
distance races -800m and 1,500m. vii. name the events which make up the
vi. The start, stride and finish in long middle distance and long distance
distance races -3,000m, 5,000m, races;
10,000m, marathon and cross-country. viii. differentiate the rules, regulations
vii. Rules, regulation and officiating. and officiating as applicable to each
track events.

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 b. Field Events Candidates should be able to:
i. Throwing events –discus, javelin and i. name the events which make up
shotput. throwing and jumping events;
-Facilities and equipment with ii. identity various facilities, equipment
specification and specifications;
-Styles and techniques iii. explain the styles and techniques in
-Rules, regulations and officiating throwing and jumping events;
-Safety measures. iv. explain the rules and regulations in
ii. Jumping events –high jump, long throwing and jumping events;
jump, pole vault and triple jump v. discuss safety precautions in throwing

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-Facilities and equipment with events.
specification

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-Style and techniques
-Rule, regulations and officiating.

2. Ball Games -Football and basketball Candidates should be able to:

a. Skills in football and basketball i. describe the skills in football and
b. Facilities and equipment in football and basketball;
basketball

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c. Rules, regulations and officiating in
football and basketball.
ii. identify various facilities and
equipment in football and basketball;
iii. identify the officials of the games of
football and basketball and their
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functions;
iv. differentiate the rules and regulations of
football and basketball.
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3. Racket Games –Table tennis and badminton Candidates should be able to:
a. Skills in table tennis and badminton i. describe the skills in table tennis and
b. Specification of facilities and badminton;
equipment in table tennis and ii. identify various facilities and
badminton equipment in table tennis and
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c. Rules, regulation and officiating in badminton;

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table tennis and badminton. iii. identify the officials in table tennis and
badminton and state their functions.
iv. differentiate the rules and regulations of
table tennis and badminton.
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 SECTION D: FOOD, NUTRITION AND DRUGS

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. Food Candidates should be able to:

a. Classes, sources and importance of food i. indicate the sources and importance of
nutrients. the various classes of food nutrients;
b. Definition and composition of balanced ii. define balanced diet and state its
diet. importance;
c. Diet planning for different groups of iii. draw up and specify dietary requirements
people –children, adolescents, athletes, for different groups of people;

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pregnant women and aged; iv. explain methods for food preparation,
d. Food preservation, hygiene, preservation preservation and storage;
and storage. v. explain the principles of food hygiene.

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2. Nutrition Candidates should be able to:
a. Definition and nutritional values of i. define nutrition and state the nutritional
beverages. values of beverages;

remedies

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b. Common nutritional deficiencies and their

c. Importance of water in human nutrition.

ii. state the common nutritional deficiencies
and their remedies;
iii. highlight the importance of water in
human nutrition.
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3. Drugs
a. Meaning and types –stimulants, narcotics, Candidates should be able to:
hallucinogen, sedatives and ergogenic i. define drug and state the types;
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aids; ii. differentiate between drug misuse and
b. Use, misuse and abuse; abuse;
c. Causes and prevention of drug misuse and iii. state causes and prevention of drug
abuse; misuse and abuse;
d. Effects of drug misuse, abuse and self- iv. explain the effects of drug misuse, abuse
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medication on the body. and self-medication on the body.

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SECTION E: PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CONDITIONING PROGRAMMES

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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1. Physical fitness Candidates should be able to:

a. Definition of physical fitness; i. define physical fitness;
b. Components of physical fitness –health- ii. outline and explain components of
related and performance/skill-related. physical fitness;
c. Benefits of physical activity and exercise. iii. give examples of health-related and
performance/skill-related components;
iv. state the benefits of physical activity and
exercise;

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 2. Conditioning Programme Candidates should be able to:
a. Aerobic programme i. differentiate between aerobic and
b. Anaerobic programme anaerobic programmes;
c. Strength training programme ii. differentiate between strength and
d. Endurance training programme endurance training programme.

SECTION F: RECREATION, LEISURE AND DANCE

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S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. Recreation and leisure Candidates should be able to:

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a. Definition and importance of recreation, i. differentiate among recreation, leisure,
leisure, work and rest; work and rest;
b. Types of recreational activities ii. state the importance of recreation,
i. Outdoor –jogging, swimming, cycling, leisure, work and rest;
watching birds, hiking, camping, iii. mention types of recreation and give
picnicking.

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ii. Indoor –viewing TV, videogames,
computer games, playing musical
instruments, billiards, card games,
examples of each;
iv. differentiate between recreational
activities and competitive sports;
v. state safety measures in recreation.
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Ayo, draught.
c. Differences between recreational
activities and competitive sports.

2. Dance Candidates should be able to:

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a. Definition and importance of dance. i. define dance and state its importance;
b. Traditional dances and dance steps from ii. identify traditional dances from various
various parts of Nigeria. parts of Nigeria;
c. Costumes for the various traditional dances iii. describe the dance steps for various
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in Nigeria. traditional dances in Nigeria.

iv. identify the costumes for the various
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traditional dances.

SECTION G: FIRST AID AND SAFETY EDUCATION

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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1. First Aid Candidates should be able to:

a. Definition of first aid i. define first aid;
b. Aims and principles of first aid ii. state the aims and principles of first aid;
c. Qualities of a first aider iii. outline the qualities of a first aider;
d. First aid box and contents iv. list the contents of the first aid box and
e. Common injuries that require first aid – their uses;
cuts, wound, sprain, strain, dislocation, v. identify types of common injury;
fracture vi. identify types of common condition that
f. Special conditions that require first aid – require first aid;
bleeding, burn, scald, shock, poisoning

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 g. Agencies/bodies involved in first aids –St. vii. identify agencies involved in fist aids
John’s Ambulance, Red Cross Society services.

2. Safety Education Candidates should be able to:

a. Meaning and types of accident and disaster i. define accident and disaster;
b. Causes and prevention of accident and ii. identify types of accident and disaster;
disaster iii. state the causes and prevention of
c. Disaster relief activities accident and disaster;
d. Safety at home, workplace, school and iv. identify various disaster relief activities;
community v. explain safety measures at home,
workplace, school and community.

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SECTION H: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS

S/N TOPIC/CONTENT/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1.

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Sports competitions at national level
a. Types of competition
i. National sports competitions
organized by different Sports
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify by name, sports competitions
organized by sports
Federations/Association and Corporate
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Federations/Associations. Organizations;
ii. National sports competitions ii. state the importance of the National
organized by Corporate Sports Festival;
Organizations iii. highlight the organizational and
iii. Importance of the National Sports administrative structures of sports
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Festival competitions in Nigeria;

b. Organisation and administration of sports
competitions
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2. Names and roles of institutional games Candidates should be able to:

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a. The University Games (NUGA) i. state the names and roles of the different
b. The Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) institutional games;
c. The Colleges of Education Games
(NATCEGA)
d. National School Sports Games (NSSF)
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3. International sports competitions and the Candidates should be able to:

governing bodies i. narrate the history and evolution of the
a. All Africa Games All Africa Games
i. History and evolution of All Africa ii. identify the aims of the All Africa
Games Games;
ii. Aims of All Africa Games iii. identify by name, international sports
b. International sports governing bodies - governing bodies;
Names and administrative structure of iv. describe the administrative structure of
SCSA, IOC, FIFA, IAAF, ISSF, international governing bodies.
FIBA, ITTF, BWF.

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 SECTION I: CORRECTIVE AND ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. Meaning and types of disability and special Candidates should be able to:
needs. i. define disability and describe people
with special needs;
2. Adapted physical activities for people with ii. identify types of disability and special
disabilities and special needs need;
iii. identify physical activities for people
3. Social and emotional problems of people with with disabilities and special needs;
special needs iv. state the social and emotional problems
of people with disabilities;

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4. Prevention of disability v. state preventive measures of disability;
vi. state corrective exercise to rehabilitate
5. Corrective exercises to rehabilitate people with people with special needs.

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special needs

SECTION J: PERSONAL, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

S/N

1. Personal Health gis

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

Candidates should be able to:

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a. Meaning and importance of personal health i. define personal health and state its
i. Meaning of personal health importance;
ii. Importance of personal health ii. differentiate the care of various parts
b. Personal Hygiene –care of various body parts of the body;
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(teeth, mouth, hair, skin, hands and nails) iii. state the methods of promoting and
c. Method of promotion and maintenance of maintaining personal health;
personal health –exercise, nutrition, regular iv. state the outcome of personal health
medical check-up; screening for the eye; ear and dental.
d. Personal health screening
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i. Eye defects and their corrections –myopia,

hypermetropia, astigmatism.
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ii. Auditory defects and their corrections

(Otistis media, partial deafness)
iii. Dental diseases (dental caries, gingivitis)

2. Community Health Candidates should be able to:

a. Community health services –providers of i. differentiate between orthodox and
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health services (orthodox services, traditional traditional health services;

services –bone setters, birth attendance) ii. different among various aspects of
b. Various aspects of family health –maternal maternal and child health services;
and child health (ante-natal care, iii. identify the characteristics of elderly
immunization, oral rehydration therapy, persons and state the ways of relating
breast feeding and safe motherhood). with them;
c. Aging and death education iv. identify common causes of death.
i. Characteristics of elderly persons
ii. Ways of relating with the elderly
iii. Common causes of death

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 3. Environmental health Candidates should be able to:
a. Housing i. state the characteristics of good
i. Characteristics of good housing – housing;
location, ventilation, lighting and ii. state the town planning regulations;
sanitation iii. state the importance of water supply
ii. Town planning regulations (spacing, and list the sources;
overcrowding) iv. explain methods of water purification
b. Water Supply v. differentiate between refuse and
i. Importance and sources sewage disposal methods;
ii. Methods of purification vi. define pollution and state its types
c. Waste disposal vii. Outline the prevention and control
i. Types –refuge, sewage measure of pollution;

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ii. Methods viii. Differentiate between pest and vector
d. Pollution and state their habits;
i. Meaning and types –air, water, soil and ix. Explain the harmful effects of pest and

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noise vectors and highlight their prevention
ii. Prevention and control and control measures.
e. Pest and vector control
i. Differences between pest and vector
and their habits
ii. Harmful effects of pest and vector
iii.

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Prevention and control
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SECTION K: COMMUNICABLE AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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1. Disease – Meaning and causes Candidates should be able to:

i. define disease and state the causes;
2. Communicable diseases ii. define communicable disease and state
a. Definition its classification with examples;
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b. Classification of communicable diseases iii. highlight the prevention and control

i. Air-borne/Respiratory diseases –measles, measures of communicable diseases.
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whooping cough, poliomyelitis,

tuberculosis and cerebro-spinal
meningitis;
ii. Water/Food-borne diseases –dysentery,
cholera, typhoid fever;
iii. Insect-borne diseases –malaria, yellow
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fever, trypanosomiasis;
iv. Worm infections –ascaris lumblicoides
(tape worm), ancylastomaduodenale
(hook worm), dracunculusmedinensis
(guinea worm);
v. Animal-borne diseases –rabies,
leptospirosis;
vi. Contact diseases –gonorrhoea, syphilis,
taeniacapitis (ring worm), leprosy,
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS)

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 vii. Presentation and control measures –
immunization, sterilization, isolation

3. Non-communicable diseases Candidates should be able to:

a. Definition i. define non-communicable diseases with
b. Diseases –hypertension, sickle cell, cancer, examples;
epilepsy, ulcer, asthma, diabetes. ii. highlight the prevention and control
measures of non-communicable diseases.

SECTION L: FAMILY LIFE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION

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S/N TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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1. Family Candidates should be able to:
a. Definition and types i. define the family and explain its types;
i. Definition ii. state the characteristics of a happy
ii. Types –Nuclear family (monogamous, family;
polygamous, single parent family,

family.

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family by adoption) and Extended

b. Characteristics of a happy family

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2. Human sexuality education Candidates should be able to:
a. Meaning and importance iii. explain human sexuality and state its
b. Reproductive health rights –rights to importance;
number of children, consent to marry, iv. highlight the reproductive health rights;
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gender equality and privacy.

3. Family planning Candidates should be able to:

a. Definition and importance v. define family planning and state its
b. Advantages and disadvantages of various importance;
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methods of family planning –condom, pills, vi. identify the various methods of family
uterine device, abstinence. planning and state their advantages;
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c. Challenges of families in Nigeria –pre- vii. state the challenges facing family life;
marital sex, extra marital sex, widowhood. viii. identify agencies promoting healthy
d. Agencies promoting healthy family living – family living.
school, NGO, religions homes.
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 RECOMMENDED TEXTS

1. Afuekwe A. I. (2007). An Introductory Textbook of Physical Education for Secondary Schools and
Colleges. Vol. 1. Sales Point (Nig.) Co.

2. Afuekwe A. I. (2009). Health Topics in the New Curriculum of Physical and Health Education. Vol.
1. Seas Print (Nig.) Co.

3. Nnabueze, U. C. (2002). Foundation of Health and Physical Education for Schools. Vol. II Enugu:
Okotech Publishers.

4. Ofadeji, A. A. (2013). Comprehensive Textbook on Physical and Health Education.

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5. Oworu, O. O. (2004). Fundamentals of Physical Education. Lucky Odoni (Nig.) Enterprises.

6. Oyerinde, O. O., Dada, J. O. & Oloyede, R. O. (2021). A Textbook of Physical and Health Education

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for Secondary School in Contemporary Nigeria Education System. Fabonish Publisher, Positive
Press, Ibadan. 4th Edition.

7. Oyerinde, O. O., Dada, J. O. & Oloyede, R. O. (2021). All Times Health Education for Individual
and College Student. Fabonish Publisher, Bayero University Press. 4th Edition.

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8. Puffa, H. A., Agbeko, W. W. & Amui. J. C. (2009). Foundations of Physical Education and Sports.
Winneba, Ghana: Akwu
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