AIDS epidemic wiping out gains in education
|
| Johannesburg,
7 December 1999 - Some 40 million people are affected or
infected with HIV/AIDS in sub-Sahara Africa, many of whom of
are youths aged below 25 years, according to a study by the
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). |
|
| The
findings of the study presented at the ongoing Sub-Saharan African
Conference on Education For All (EFA) in Johannesburg, South
Africa, says the HIV/AIDS scourge has contributed to low life
expectancy in many African countries. |
|
| The
study done by UNICEF consultant Mrs Debbie Gachuhi, says: "In
Malawi, due to AIDS deaths, the 1997 population census shows
that the overall population growth rate is now only 1.9 per
cent per annum compared with the projected growth rate of 3.2
per cent in the 1987 census." |
|
| Overall,
the AIDS-related mortality has begun to eliminate the gains
made in child survival in the past 20 years. |
|
| "Children
are the most affected as a result of the HIV/AIDS as they live
with sick relatives in households stressed by the drain on their
resources. They are emotionally and physically vulnerable to
the illness of one or both parents," she said during the second
day of the regional conference that is attended by more than
300 participants. |
|
| One
of the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic is already being
felt in the education sector, where the death of teachers and
parents is affecting the delivery of teaching and support of
education programmes. |
|
|
Citing the case of Kenya, the report says one of the country's
eight provinces is now experiencing a situation where one teacher
dies every day due to AIDS. It says that between 20 and 30 teachers
die every month in the province and the number is likely to
increase unless urgent intervention measures are put in place
to redress the scourge. |
|
| Mrs
Gachuhi, says: "There will be less qualified teachers, as trained
and experienced staff are replaced with younger and less well
trained teachers." |
|
| She
added: "It is quite apparent that as AIDS continues to take
its toll, there will be schools with no headteachers and inspectors.
This has a negative impact on the education system's ability
to plan, manage and implement policies and programmes." |
|
| She
said the schools are further likely to be affected by psychological
effects of having infection, illness and death among children
and teachers. The provision of education will be severely affected
as illness, absenteeism and death invade the learning institutions. |
|
| One
way to redress the impact of HIV/AIDS is to build capacity among
children to support themselves "by enabling them to stay in
school and acquire not only vocational skills but life skills
as well." |
|
| Mrs
Gachuhi said many children are vulnerable to sexual abuse and
harassment, and therefore need special protection to ensure
that they are not infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. |
|
| She
outlined some of the psycho-social aspects that need to be included
in life skills programmes, including self-awareness and empathy,
private communication and interpersonal communication, decision-making
and problem solving. Learners also require skills in creative
thinking and ways of coping with emotions and stress that emanate
from loss of parents and guardians. |
|
| The
study outlined some of the success stories in implementing life
skills education programmes have been implemented in some countries
in the region, notably Zimbabwe. Started seven years ago, the
Zimbabwe Action Programme for Schools appears to have led to
behaviour change among pupils, thus reduced the risk of HIV
infection. |
|
| Meanwhile,
the non-governmental organisations dealing in education yesterday
asked governments to provide opportunities to children in difficult
conditions to get access to education. |
|
| In
a declaration presented to the conference, the NGOs called on
the governments to rationalise their expenditure and increase
funding to education. |
|
| "The
state must elaborate clear policies and plans within an overall
poverty framework, including a minimum of seven per cent of
Gross Domestic Product to finance education," they said. |
|
| They
underscored the fact that provision of education is a responsibility
of the state, which they cannot abdicate from. |
|
| The
conference is organised by the Education Forum For All (EFA)
Forum, which is convened by five UN agencies - Unesco, Unicef,
UNDP, UNFPA and the World Bank. It ends on Friday. |
