HEC101V Assignment 2
OFFICIAL SCHOOL POLICY REGARDING HIV/AIDS – AN EXPLANATION TO PARENTS
HIV and AIDS is one of major challenges to all South Africans. It is estimated that almost 25% of the population will be HIV positive by the year 2010. In South Africa HIV is spread mainly through:
Sexual contact
Breast feeding
Mother to child
In keeping with international standards and in accordance with education law and the constitutional guarantees of the right to a basic education, right not to be unfairly discriminated against, the right to life and bodily integrity, right to privacy, the right to safe environment and the best interests of the child.
The purpose of the policy is to prevent the spread of HIV infection. To demystify HIV and AIDS
Allay fears
Reduce stigma
Instill non-discriminatory attitudes
The policy includes:
Although there are no known cases of the transmission of HIV in schools or institutions, there are learners with HIV/AIDS in schools. HIV cannot be transmitted through day-to-day social contact.
Because of the nature of HIV antibody testing and the “window period” or “apparently well period” between infection and the onset of clearly identifiable symptoms, it is impossible to know with absolute certainty who has HIV/AIDS and who does not.
Compulsory disclosure of a learner’s, student’s or educator’s HIV/AIDS status to school or institution authorities is not advocated as this would serve no meaningful purpose, in case of disclosure, educators would be prepared to handle such disclosures and be given support to handle confidentiality issues. Learners and students with HIV/AIDS should lead as full a life as possible and should not be denied the opportunity to receive an education to the maximum of their ability. The risk of transmission of HIV in the day-to-day school or institution environment in the context of physical injuries, can be effectively eliminated by following standard infection-control procedures or precautionary measures and good hygiene practices
HIV and AIDS is one of major challenges to all South Africans. It is estimated that almost 25% of the population will be HIV positive by the year 2010. In South Africa HIV is spread mainly through:
Sexual contact
Breast feeding
Mother to child
In keeping with international standards and in accordance with education law and the constitutional guarantees of the right to a basic education, right not to be unfairly discriminated against, the right to life and bodily integrity, right to privacy, the right to safe environment and the best interests of the child.
The purpose of the policy is to prevent the spread of HIV infection. To demystify HIV and AIDS
Allay fears
Reduce stigma
Instill non-discriminatory attitudes
The policy includes:
Although there are no known cases of the transmission of HIV in schools or institutions, there are learners with HIV/AIDS in schools. HIV cannot be transmitted through day-to-day social contact.
Because of the nature of HIV antibody testing and the “window period” or “apparently well period” between infection and the onset of clearly identifiable symptoms, it is impossible to know with absolute certainty who has HIV/AIDS and who does not.
Compulsory disclosure of a learner’s, student’s or educator’s HIV/AIDS status to school or institution authorities is not advocated as this would serve no meaningful purpose, in case of disclosure, educators would be prepared to handle such disclosures and be given support to handle confidentiality issues. Learners and students with HIV/AIDS should lead as full a life as possible and should not be denied the opportunity to receive an education to the maximum of their ability. The risk of transmission of HIV in the day-to-day school or institution environment in the context of physical injuries, can be effectively eliminated by following standard infection-control procedures or precautionary measures and good hygiene practices