REPUBLIC OF KENYAMINISTRY OF EDUCATION

A Globally Competitive Quality Education, Training and Research for Kenya’s

Sustainable Development

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International Multi- Stakeholder Consultative Meeting on national HIV and AIDS Programmes for Enhancing Effectiveness, Efficiency and Social

Sustainability

Panafric Hotel Nairobi, Kenya

19th to 20th April 20122

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE TO HIV AND AIDS

A Presentation by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of

Education

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Areas of Coverage

i. Education and developmentii. Effects of HIV and Aids on the

education sectoriii. Achievements in the HIV and Aids

Programmes iv. Challengesv. Way Forward

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Education and Development

Education is a powerful tool in the development of nations.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (1948), Education for All and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) underline the role of education in enabling individuals to effectively operate within the environment for National Growth and Development.

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Education and Development Cont.

The Millennium Development Goal No. 6 is on combating HIV and AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.

Like other countries of the world, Kenya is committed to achieving this goal.

The Kenya Vision 2030 (Blue print of National Development) accords education a central role in the realization of the economic, social and political targets.

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Education and Development Contd.

Educational investments usually surpass 30% of the national budgetary allocations, indicating the need to address all factors that militate against educational achievements.

HIV and AIDS was diagnosed in Kenya in 1984 and declared a national disaster in 1999 to give it the attention of all stakeholders through a collaborative approach.

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Effects of HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS is a drawback on the achievements made in the education sector over time. The following are some of the effects of HIV and AIDS on the sector: Many children have been orphaned as

parents succumb to Aids related illnesses. Understaffing in learning institutions arising

from deaths of teachers. Poor performance due to absence of both

learners and teachers as they attend clinics/collect ARVs.

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Effects of HIV and AIDS Resources which would have been used for

national development have been diverted to fight the pandemic.

The country is robbed its able and productive human resource, which has adverse effects on the economy.

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HIV AND AIDS in the Education Sector

Education is key in prevention of HIV and AIDS and mitigating its effects in learning institutions, families and communities.

Towards this end, the goal of the Ministry of Education is to have an AIDS free society.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

The Government of Kenya uses a multi-sectoral approach in the fight of the Pandemic. Several intervention measures have been put in place.

The Aids Control Unit was formed to address the challenges of HIV and AIDS under the four pillars:

Prevention; Care and Support; Workplace Issues; Management of Response and Advocacy.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

Infusion and integration of HIV education in the curriculum in key related subjects in learning institutions by 2000.

Development of Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS in 2004 with guidelines on HIV and AIDS programme implementation.

Coordination, sharing and implementation of the policy is at National, Provincial and District levels.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

Infusing HIV and AIDS as an Investment programme under the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP)during the period 2005 -2010.

Introducing Life Skills Education (LSE) in all learning institutions by 2008.

In 2009 HIV and AIDS Prevention and Life Skills Training Manual was developed to guide the HIV and AIDS education in schools and colleges.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

Sensitization on behavior change through programmes like:

- The Primary Action for Better Health (PSABH);

- Secondary School Action for Better Health (SSABH) in secondary schools.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

Establishment of ACUs at the headquarters, Semi Autonomous Agencies (SAGAs) e.g. TSC and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).

Establishment of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) at the headquarters in June 2006 and rolling them out in the SAGAs and TTCs.

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Interventions in the Education Sector

Sensitizing first year students in all Public Teacher Training Colleges students to get the when they are fresh.

Taking Mobile VCTs to TTCs and during national events like music, sports and drama.

MoE developed the Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) Support Grant Management Handbook in 2008.

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Interventions in the Education Sector.

Distributed male and female condoms at the Ministry Headquarters and field work places.

Developed Guidelines for Strengthening HIV and AIDS Coordination at District level in 2010

 

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Achievements in HIV and AIDS Contd.

Departments of the MoE have domesticated the Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

has established a Comprehensive Wellness Programme for its staff.

Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) converted HIV and AIDS messages into Braille for the visually handicapped learners.

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Total Allocation (Ksh.)

1. MVC Training of SMCs and provision of basic needs (clothes and shoes) to orphaned children during the period 2007/2009Kshs. 610,000,000

2. Sensitization and mobile VCT during the period 2010/2011 and 2012 Kshs. 35,195,318

2. Disbursement to Districts to train on HIV and AIDS during the period 2008/2009Kshs. 7,050,000

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Investments in the HIV and AIDS Programmes

Programme Activity Allocation (Ksh) Number Trained/Target

2010/2011 2011/2012 Total 2010/2011

2011/2012

Total

College Disbursement 5,345, 450 5,508,350 10,853,800 9,490 9,456 18,946

Training of education Managers

10,346,868 3,600,000 13,946,868 736 - 736

Training of MOE Staff 1,691,250 2,661,400 4,352,650 95 445 540

Moblie VCT 516, 500 3,724,500 4,241,000 2804 3,056 5,860

World AIDS Day Celebrations

924,500 876,500 1,801,000 198 150 348

Total 18,824,568 16,370,750 35,195,318 13,323 13,107 26,430

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Challenges of HIV and AIDS in Education

Fear of being stigmatized Absenteeism among Teachers and

Learners due to HIV and AIDS related illnesses and frequent visits to Health Centres

Students/teachers sexual relationships.

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Challenges of HIV and AIDS Contd.

Inadequate skills to provide psycho- social support to positive learners by care givers and teachers

Stiff resistance to sexuality education by faith based organizations

Majority of the teachers are yet to be trained/oriented on implementation of LSE curriculum.

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Challenges of HIV and AIDS Contd.

Studies have revealed gaps in the current Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS as some emerging issues had not been provided for in the policy, e.g. on how to attend to learners who are HIV positive.

Behaviour change among the youth is still wanting.

Parents have relegated their parenting duties to teachers, who may work under pressure.

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Way Forward

The current Education Sector Policy on HIV/AIDS is in the process of being revised to address emerging issues.

The Ministry is steadfast in encouraging abstinence as opposed to use of Condom to uphold morality.

Self declared HIV and AIDS positive people are involved in Ministry’s activities e.g. World AIDs Day celebrations.

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Way Forward Contd.

MOE has encouraged positive teachers to form support groups, e.g. Kenya Network of Positive Teachers (KENEPOTE)

Greater involvement of Education Sector Practitioners, Health Officials, KNUT, PLWA, Parents, Children, communities in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The Ministry has been holding consultative meetings with all stakeholders on teaching of sexuality education 

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Way Forward Contd.

Deterrent measures on teachers who engage in sexual relationship with learners in accordance with the Teachers Service Commission Code of Regulations and Children’s Act

Health personnel to perform duties of care givers to schools.

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END OF PRESENTATION

THANK YOU

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