Anglican schools will take HIV and Aids head on when the new school year commences next month. It is a pilot project called "empowerment for all" and it was launched this morning at the Sylvestre Memorial Center. We were there for the second session.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Janine Longsworth teaches the Standard five class at All Saint's Primary School. She says the curriculum is woefully inadequate when it comes to HIV and Aids.
Janine Longsworth, Teacher - All Saint's Primary School
"Basically there is nothing, in the curriculum we teach health science and stuff like that but there was limited information given to the students."
Keith Swift,
Did you have discussions in your classroom about Aids?
Janine Longsworth,
"Minimal. I guess you touch the surface but you don't get into the real impacts of HIV and Aids."
It's a bit different across town in Joyce Ellis' standard four-class at Queen Square School.
Joyce Ellis, Queen's Square Anglican School
"At standard we weren't focusing so much on HIV. We were focusing mostly on life skills that will develop these children into making positive decisions, hence we won't have to be so much worrying about the HIV. If we take the approach of life skills, then we won't have the problem of HIV. Again I must say that children will be making positive decisions."
Both schools are part of a pilot project on HIV/Aids in the curriculum in Anglican schools. Carol Babb is the general manager of Anglican Schools.
Carol Babb, General Manager- Anglican Schools
"Aids is affecting us in a very very increasing fashion so as a church we feel that we need to do something to help to fight this dreaded disease."
Keith Swift,
How do you balance that because some parents don't want their kids know more than the bees and the birds?
Carol Babb,
"That is why were also going to train parents so that they are aware of how dreadful this disease is and this is something that their children need to know about it. It is only through education that we can prevent HIV and Aids. They will be able to go back to the classroom and teach the children about the evils of HIV and Aids and how to prevent it. They will also be taught about non-discriminatory practices."
And after the one-week workshop - Janine Longsworth says she'll return to the classroom in September more informed and more confident when HIV and Aids becomes the topic.
Janine Longsworth,
"I believe now with the new program that they are implementing that children will be more informed and better able to deal with everyday life situations. As teachers it is our job to educate and that is what we are here for."
