Infected and/or Affected by HIV/AIDS Children in the Classroom: Teachers Role

Abstract

HIV/AIDS arrived on the world scene without warning. A few decades ago it was unknown – lurking somewhere, waiting for the right moment to ambush the human race. Today HIV/AIDS covers Africa in dark clouds of fear, uncertainty and suffering. The virus has destroyed innocent hopes, desires and plans of countless numbers of people whose lives have been cut short by an unseen enemy. Those of us who live in Africa, it is a human catastrophe from which no single one of us in the region will be exempt, because HIV/AIDS affects us all. This truism about the HIV/AIDS pandemic will become ever more evident and obvious as each month and year passes. It is estimated that by 2015, the year in which HIV/AIDS is expected to reach its peak, between 9-12% of the population will be HIV/AIDS orphans. This indicates that between 3.6 and 4.8 million children under the age of 15 will be without parents or guardians. “A learner who is infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in any way will have to cope with the repercussions. If such a learner is still further traumatised by, e.g. discrimination or neglect of any kind in the school situation, the problem will be exacerbated considerably. All learners have a right to lead a normal life, to have quality of life and to reach their potential. It is important for all teachers to realise this and all teachers have a responsibility to equip themselves with the necessary skills to care for and support these learners in the most effective way possible”.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p1493