UAY

Education & AIDS

There are quite a number of ways AIDS has been affecting education, and equally there are numerous ways in which education can help the fight against HIV/AIDS. At UAY, we are aware that the extent to which schools and other education institutions are able to continue functioning will influence how well societies eventually recover from the epidemic.

A decline in school enrolment is one of the most visible effects of the epidemic. This in itself will have an effect on HIV prevention, as a good basic education ranks among the most effective and cost-effective means of preventing HIV.

There are numerous barriers to school attendance in Zimbabwe and in Africa as a whole. Children may be removed from school to care for parents or family members, or they may themselves be living with HIV. Many are unable to afford school fees and other such expenses – this is particularly a problem among children who have lost their parents to AIDS, who often struggle to generate income.

Studies have suggested that young people with little or no education may be 2.2 times more likely to contract HIV as those who have completed primary education. In this context, the devastating effect that AIDS is having on school enrolment is a big concern.

We really see that our role is even more vital to the sustainability of society as a whole. We intend to do our part a few children at a time.