TO: | CHIEF DIRECTORS, DIRECTORS, HEAD OF SECTIONS AND PERSONNEL (HEAD OFFICE AND EMDCs), HEADS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOL HIV/AIDS CO-ORDINATORS |
| NATIONAL SCHOOL AIDS MONTH: SEPTEMBER 2007 |
| 1. |
The Western Cape Education Department's HIV/AIDS Unit wishes to bring it to the attention of all employees, parents and learners that September is National School AIDS Month.
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| 2. |
The schools and school communities that participated in community events and organised school programmes during the School AIDS Month in 2006 are commended for their achievements and enthusiasm.
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| 3. |
All school governing bodies, educators and learners are once again encouraged to focus on HIV/AIDS during the month of September with similar vigour, enthusiasm and creativity to develop programmes and events leading up to World AIDS Day on 1 December.
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| 4. |
Schools and their partners in the community (parents, community- and faith-based organisations and local government) should aim to address the following aspects pertaining to HIV/AIDS life skills and sexuality education:
- Raising awareness, addressing myths and providing accurate information to assist in preventing the spread and mitigating the impact of AIDS
- Creating a caring environment for those infected and affected by the disease
- Addressing discrimination, drugs, crime, teenage pregnancy, prostitution and abusive behaviour that aggravate the spread of the virus in communities
- Promoting positive and responsible behaviour and developing young leaders for the future
- Debating controversial issues such as condom use, Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and alternative treatments and medication
- Promoting healthy lifestyles and reclaiming community norms and values
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| 5. |
Schools can achieve these aims by implementing creative programmes for learners, parents, educators and school communities. These programmes should not be limited to curriculum-based activities, but should be extended to extra-curricular activities too.
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| 6. |
Should schools require any further information and assistance, the following HIV/AIDS co-ordinators can be contacted at the EMDCs:
Metropole Central: Lynne Herrmann Tel. 021 659 4300
Metropole South: Nceba Jalamba Tel. 021 370 2072
Metropole North: Labeqa Abrahams Tel. 021 938 3065
Metropole East: Esmé Kleinveldt Tel. 021 900 7024
West Coast & Winelands: Janine Kearns Tel. 021 860 1200
Breede River & Overberg: Alister Adonis Tel. 023 348 4687
South Cape & Karoo: Lionel Pedro Tel. 044 874 3130
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| 7. |
Your enthusiastic participation in programmes during the National School AIDS Month will be greatly appreciated.
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SIGNED: M.J. THERON
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:08:15
Grand Central Towers, Lower Parliament Street, Private Bag X9114, Cape Town 8000
Please quote reference numbers in all correspondence
SAFE SCHOOLS: 0800 45 46 47
CLIENT CALL CENTRE: 0861 92 33 22
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