1. Schools are once again encouraged to implement programmes and organise events to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS during the month of September.
2. The importance of promoting healthy lifestyles with regard to sexuality and creating caring schools and communities for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS has been stressed by both the Provincial Minister of Education, Cameron Dugmore, and Premier Rasool.
3. Schools, educators and learners are therefore encouraged to focus on HIV/AIDS programmes during the month of September and to develop programmes and events leading up to World AIDS Day on 1 December. The Theme for World AIDS Day is “Stop AIDS. Keep the promise”.
4. Schools and their partners in the community (parents, community- and faith based organisations and local government) should aim to
  • raise the awareness of the growing prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other related issues in their communities, and provide accurate information to assist in preventing the spread and mitigating the impact.

  • provide an opportunity for educators and learners to develop the inter-personal skills required for dealing with HIV/AIDS - such as communication, decision-making, assertiveness and peer leadership.

  • address discrimination and create a school environment that is caring and supportive for all.

  • promote the attitudes, values and responsible behaviour patterns that are required of learners, educators and parents, and address such issues as condoms, VCT, ARV and alternative treatments, to name just a few.

  • develop a plan of action for the management of HIV/AIDS in schools.

5. Schools can achieve these aims by implementing creative programmes (See list below) for learners, parents and educators. These programmes should not be limited to curriculum-based activities, but should be extended to extra-curricular activities too.
6. Some of the activities that schools can undertake include the following:
  • Song and drama presentations

  • Poster competitions

  • Displays of posters in local shopping centres

  • Motivational speakers from EMDC, local health clinics, NGOs etc.

  • Displaying the school HIV/AIDS plan of action in the school foyer

  • Networking with support services and resources in the school community

  • Conducting a community survey to determine attitudes of youth regarding HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, drugs etc.

  • Promoting positive living lifestyles

  • Quilt making

  • Making puzzles

  • Parent Workshops

  • Outreach projects to homes and institutions for people living with AIDS.

7. The following HIV and AIDS co-ordinators are the contact persons at the EMDCs:
Metropole Central       Lynne Herrmann  021 659 4300
Metropole South         Valery Jordaan  021 370 2072
Metropole North         Labeqa Abrahams 021 938 3065
Metropole East          Esmé Kleinveldt 021 900 7024
West Coast & Winelands  Janine Kearns   021 860 1200
Breede River & Overberg Alister Adonis  023 348 4687
South Cape & Karoo      Lionel Pedro    044 874 3130
8. Your enthusiastic participation in programmes during the School AIDS Month will be greatly appreciated.


SIGNED: M.J. THERON
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:08:23