New government policy to tackle HIV and TB in schools

SCHOOLS facing difficult issues of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis can expect a new wave of insights into the government’s latest policy.

The Department of Basic Education announced this week that plans had been set in motion to implement a revised policy on the management of HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI’s) and Tuberculosis (TB) in state schools.

The department said the implementation of the policy would begin with workshops in each province and the policy would be fully implemented once the workshops were completed.

The workshops aim to strengthen the implementation of policy and to explore how best to incorporate sexual education and render health services to pupils, educators and staff.

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and the provision of sexual reproductive health services (SRH) were cited as the most important component of the revised policy.

The current policy, which was put in place in 1999 and implemented through the subject of Life Orientation since 2000, was structured to manage HIV within the context and conditions at the time. This meant it needed to be revised.

Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the revised HIV and TB policy provided a paradigm shift towards approaching HIV as a core management issue, which made it the business of every official in the system.

“CSE and the provision of SRH services are some of the key levers in the policy and are recognised globally as key strategies to prevent HIV infection among the youth.

“CSE is intended to offer young people the knowledge, skills and efficacy to make informed decisions about their sexuality and lifestyles.

“It and has been identified as a game changer in South Africa.”

Mhlanga said in addition to working with the department of health and social development and guided by the provisions of the Children’s Act, the department aimed to facilitate access to social welfare and health services, including SRH services.

The department said the full participation of education stakeholders was key in achieving the goals of the policy.

“School governing bodies, parent community as well as the general community are critical partners in this quest.

“We rely on their support and contribution to finally turn the tide in our schools and institutions,” Mhlanga said. —