The Head of Education in the Western Cape, Ron Swartz, has volunteered for an HIV test to show his full support for the HIV and AIDS Workplace Programme of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

The WCED has launched the programme, to prevent and reduce HIV infection among employees of the department, and to care for, treat and support employees with HIV and AIDS.

The WCED has entered into a partnership with Lifeline to coordinate key aspects of the programme, covering HIV and AIDS awareness, peer education and voluntary counseling and testing.

Personnel from Lifeline took a sample of Mr Swartz’s blood for his HIV test this morning (Tuesday, 25 November 2003).

"The WCED acknowledges and affirms the seriousness of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, and its destructive impact on the education system within the province," Mr Swartz said. "The department is taking appropriate and constructive steps to respond to this epidemic as effectively as possible."

The WCED has already launched a major programme in schools to educate learners on HIV/AIDS prevention and care for those infected by the disease.

The department is now also turning its attention to the needs of personnel in all schools and administrative and support centres by way of a special HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme.

The WCED employs about 36 000 staff, comprising more than 28 650 educators and 7360 public servants.

"The WCED is the largest employer in the Western Cape Provincial Government," Mr Swartz said. "We have to sustain a viable organisation that can deliver according to our mandate, while also caring for employees infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS."

The objectives of the WCED’s HIV and AIDS Workplace Programme are to:

• Implement programmes aimed at preventing and reducing HIV infection;
• Implement programmes aimed at caring for, treating and supporting employees living with HIV and AIDS;
• Provide voluntary counseling and testing services for employees wishing to determine their own HIV status;
• Determine the impact of HIV and AIDS on the WCED, to facilitate planning; and to
• Promote condom use and provide SABS-approved condoms.

The WCED’s Human Resource Development Directorate is responsible for the Workplace Programme, in two areas, firstly, those aimed at preventing and reducing HIV infection, and secondly, treatment, care and support programmes.

Programmes aimed at prevention and reduction of infection include education on reducing the risk of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

They also include contributing to a work environment that does not discriminate against people affected by HIV and AIDS; preventing accidental exposure to potentially infectious blood and blood products; and managing occupational exposures that can occur.

Programmes aimed at treatment, care and support include providing appropriate medical, psychological and social care and support for employees living with HIV, and those affected by the disease; and employee assistance programmes to encourage "sustainable wellness".

The WCED and Lifeline will launch a major awareness drive in schools in 2004, designed to improve the basic knowledge of staff on HIV and AIDS. The department will invite schools to host two-hour workshops, conducted free of charge by Lifeline.

The programme will complement the WCED’s current drive to educate more than

920 000 learners on HIV and AIDS.

"We have adopted an integrated approach to dealing with the disease, by addressing the needs of both learners and staff holistically. Responsibility for our HIV and AIDS programmes must be shared by all components of the WCED," Mr Swartz said.

The WCED has already trained more than 8 000 primary school teachers on how to cover HIV and AIDS appropriately in the curriculum.

The department is rolling out a programme to train 5 000 peer educators in high schools. The HIV and AIDS Unit has trained about 2 500 to date. The unit will train the balance in 2004.

"Peer educators are learners who are already making a huge difference to educating their fellow learners about HIV and AIDS in our high schools," Mr Swartz said.

The WCED’s HIV and AIDS Unit has published learning materials for primary school learners in three languages; and has organised a wide range of special events and campaigns in all parts of the province.

Related programmes include the WCED’s involvement in the Good Men’s March against violence against women and children this evening (Tuesday, 25 November 2003).

"The issue of abuse against women and children also has an HIV and AIDS dimension. We cannot address these issues in isolation," Mr Swartz said.

"We cannot deal with HIV and AIDS using half measures. Education is about helping people to lead fulfilling lives and to contribute to the development and growth of the province and the country."

"We have to deal decisively with HIV and AIDS to fulfil this mission."