EDUCATION’S HIV/AIDS POLICY DESIGNED TO LEAD TO ACTION

Date: 1/20/2009

Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 20, 2009 (SKNIS): A workshop is the tool being used by the Ministry of Education to craft a policy and strategic plan to clearly state what should be done when issues specific to HIV/AIDS arise on the job.

Facilitator Ms. Ruby Thomas explained that while the Development/Strategic Planning Workshop is being coordinated by the Ministry of Education, stakeholders from other sectors were invited to attend. She said the objective is to create a clear vision as to procedures in cases of HIV/AIDS in the Education sector, but they are being designed to fit the broader national vision as well. As such, the agenda includes advocacy as well as drafting a policy and strategic plan. Ms. Thomas emphasized that while it is important to have a plan it is even more so to have it followed by action.

Participant Gerard “Archie” Williams emphasized that it is important to have procedures in place even before certain situations arise, so as to have a means of stemming certain issues and problems. He said stakeholders have to come together, such as the church who were not traditionally invited to such sessions, since awareness and behavior change have to be society wide.

Mr. Williams gave a hypothetical example of a principle, responsible for a school, where a particular student bursts his or her nose and the mother, happens to be known to have AIDS.

Should the teachers be hesitant to look after the cut, what steps should the principal take? Another make-believe example was given where at the Early Childhood level, a child with relatives with HIV has a bowel movement. Are the nursery professionals at liberty to request gloves when caring for such an infant or even infants in general? Mr. Williams noted that the policy and strategic planning would give educators and even other employers and employees clear procedures as to what should be done when the issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS arise in the workplace.

Forty-eight participants are expected to attend the January 19 to 22 workshop. Among them, Lorraine Archibald, Gingerland Health Centre Community Health Nurse Manager expressed the importance of the sessions. She said that it was critical to now the correct way to formulate a policy that will protect and serve as a guide not just for educators but health care workers as well.

National AIDS Coordinator Ms. Gardenia Destang-Richardson updated participants on the current HIV/AIDS situation in the Federation and encouraged other sectors to follow the lead of the Ministry of Education, since HIV/AIDS situations can arise on any job site. She explained that such exercises will contribute to the national HIV/AIDS response. The National AIDS Coordinator emphasized that all workplaces should have policies and strategic plans since they can only protect employers and employees.

The Education workshop activities include developing the goal and guiding principles for that sector’s HIV/AIDS Policy, discussing the scope and application of the proposed policy, drafting the outlines of the policy for St. Kitts under prevention, care and support, workplace issues, and managing response. The crafting session which is taking place at the Curriculum Development Unit is being attended by persons from ministries and departments of education, health, youth, gendar affairs, sports and labour. There are also representatives from Non Government Organisations (NGO’s), entrepreneurs, religious organizations and students. Thursday’s 3:00 p.m. closing ceremony signals the conclusion of the first phase of work leading to implementation.