HIV Preventive Education Information Kit for School Teachers

This kit provides teachers with basic information on teaching young people about HIV and AIDS. The materials cover challenges of teaching about HIV and AIDS in the school setting, countering community resistance to HIV/AIDS education, addressing stigma and discrimination, and reducing risk behaviours.

From the Introduction and User Guide: "This collection of fact sheets covers a range of issues that are important for teachers to understand when teaching children at both primary and secondary levels. They aim to raise awareness among teachers of HIV and AIDS-related issues and suggest ways in which the subject may be addressed at the school level. They can also be used as freestanding resources for open learning or as adjuncts for in-service teacher training....

The Kit begins with basic bio-medical information about HIV and AIDS to allow readers to understand how infection can be averted. Understanding these facts about HIV can be useful in combating related myths and stigmatisation of children living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.... The second part of the Kit provides the bigger picture of how HIV is spreading in the Asia-Pacific region. It is important that national HIV and AIDS strategies address this....The next part of the Kit gives particular attention to describing the impact of HIV on families, communities and schools. A separate sheet addresses issues related to orphans and vulnerable children.

The multiple roles of schools in fighting HIV and AIDS are outlined with a focus on preventive education and a life skills-based approach. The importance of linking schools and preventive education to HIV and AIDS-related services is described. Issues relating to vulnerability and risky behaviour are covered in the theme sheets on women and girls, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug use. Suggestions are made for further reading and a glossary of key terms is provided."