Much work must still be done to ensure optimal implementation of HIV and Aids policy in both primary and high schools, a conference heard on Thursday.
Annemarie Mostert, of the Sacred Heart College research and development unit, said although the majority of schools have guidelines on the Department of Education’s HIV and Aids policy, a wide gap still exists between policy and implementation.
”Eighty-four percent of the 128 schools surveyed in the Free State have HIV and Aids policies, but they are not fully implemented,” Mostert said. ”Most schools with policies do not have lists of chronically ill pupils and this could impair their ability to implement action plans accordingly.”
She was addressing a three-day conference aimed at highlighting issues affecting children rendered vulnerable by HIV and Aids.
”More awareness of learners in need of care is needed. There needs to be a team to support vulnerable children at all schools and more funds are needed for first-aid kits and training in first aid for teachers from all schools.”
Mostert said it is crucial for teachers to be trained in first aid, as the majority of schools with first-aid kits have no staff member who knows who to do with them.
Also, she recommended that all schools should be provided with coordinators and counsellors who can deal exclusively with HIV and Aids.
”Dedicated people are required to focus full time on setting up a viable system at schools to deal with HIV and Aids,” Mostert said. ”District offices must play a more active role in the entire implementation process.”
Also addressing the conference held at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand was Shirley Mabusela from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
She focused on support for community volunteers who, she said, are crucial in ensuring better lives for children orphaned and affected by Aids.
”To successfully deal with the effects of HIV and Aids on children, we need people with patience, commitment and determination,” Mabusela said. ”It is therefore vital to fully support community volunteers … in order to ensure that they render good-quality services.”
She said most of the community volunteers come from poor backgrounds, which means they are equally affected by the pandemic.
”These unsung heroines in our communities need all the assistance we can muster. For our efforts to yield desired outcomes and results we cannot rely solely on volunteers.
”They need to be skilled, monitored and debriefed from time to time in order to ensure that they render good quality services and are re-energised to benefit children,” she said.
Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya is expected to address the conference on Friday. — Sapa