Strategies for bringing HIV/AIDS awareness in Primary Schools

Abstract

This study examined strategies that can be used for bringing about HIV/AIDS awareness in primary schools. The strategies are effective teaching skills that can be employed by educators for bringing HIV/AIDS awareness to primary school learners. The responsibilities of educators in the implementation of HIV/AIDS programs in primary schools were discussed. It was noted that educators have a great responsibility of teaching learners about HIV/AIDS, the most important of which was to provide learners with accurate information regarding HIV/AIDS. Another one was that educators should also make sure that effective teaching and learning of HIV/AIDS does takes place in the schools. The study has also examined knowledge that children should have regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The basic awareness of HIV/AIDS by children was found to be essential. Some of the factors that promote the spread of HIV infection were also discussed. Different types of STIs were discussed. From the discussions, it is evident that there is a link between STIs and HIV/AIDS. Although STIs can be treated by medication, they are sometimes hard to cure. In this study, it was discovered that the early and correct treatment of STIs is an important weapon in the armoury against HIV transmission. The significance of life skills programs in primary schools was also examined. It was discovered that the subject of HIV/AIDS could not be taught in isolation; life skills programs should always be included. The issue of primary school learners who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS was also discussed. It was discovered that in the context of HIV/AIDS, learners fall into two main groups, namely the infected and affected. Infected learners are those learners who are living with the virus in their bodies, while affected learners are those who have infected family members or friends. Various ways by which HIV can be transmitted and prevented in primary schools were also examined. Strategies that can be used for bringing about HIV/AIDS awareness in primary schools were dealt with in chapter six. Recommendations based on teaching skills that can be used by educators in presenting HIV/AIDS lessons were made.