PCD

A PCD report presenting the results from a rapid situation analysis of the education sector response to HIV in sub-Saharan Africa conducted by the Western, Eastern and Central Africa Networks of Ministry of Education HIV&AIDS Focal Points in collaboration with the World Bank.  The identification of priority areas in school health, nutrition and HIV&AIDS in each country is enabling government officials to concentrate resources and programming in these areas, and will aid future planning both within each country and collectively across the Networks. The findings also serve as a baseline from which countries and the Networks can measure their progress in coming years.  Of the 37 Network countries, 34 responded.  Key findings from the 34 country responses include:

• 76% have an education sector HIV&AIDS strategy and an HIV&AIDS plan.
• 62% offer HIV&AIDS counselling to teachers.
• 91% are training teachers to protect themselves.
• 94% have an HIV&AIDS Focal Point within the Ministry of Education.
• 100% provide HIV&AIDS school-based prevention education of some form.
• 74% are training teachers in a life skills approach.
• 71% ensure orphans and vulnerable children do not have to pay school fees.