M.Ed. / The word HIV/AIDS has dominated the media day in and day out, news is up as to how the pandemic is ravaging the whole world. Particularly at risk are the children and young people. In this mist of confusion and frustration one cannot really afford to turn a blind eye on this scourge. As there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, the only hope is “awareness” so that people can adequately protect themselves. The aim of this research is to find out whether the inclusion of HIV/AIDS- programmes in the school curriculum may not create an awareness about the epidemic, and as such, prevent the vast spread of the virus. In the light of the statement above, the following questions were formulated: • Are the young people and children aware of the trends and patterns of HIV/AIDS? • Would the inclusion of HIV/AIDS-programmes in the school curriculum bring awareness about the pandemic and reduce the vast spread of the virus? In order to research the problem as stated above, qualitative and quantitative methods were chosen. The choice was informed by the fact that using combined methods will prevent biased findings, develop and enhance the understanding of social phenomena and strengthening triangulation. The findings indicated that the HIV/AIDS-programmes should form part of the curriculum. The conclusions made were based on the impact of HIV/AIDS developed from the literature overview in Chapter 2 and findings from data in Chapter 4. vi Recommendations were made to National, Provincial and School level: • There is a need for a coherent National HIV/AIDS curriculum development strategy which will ensure systematic planning on HIV/AIDS-programmes generally, and in particular conduct a survey to collect data on awareness levels in life skills education. • Effective and monitored communication systems among various stakeholders and curriculum implementers are needed to conduct workshops on HIV/AIDS. • Regional officials need to be empowered to enter into partnerships with other accredited programmes to combat HIV/AIDS. • Educators should be encouraged to develop HIV/AIDS lessons in classrooms in line with national guidelines. Lastly, this study was worth undertaking, taking cognisance of the rate at which HIV/AIDS is killing the people. If the recommendations are considered, there will be an increase of awareness and hopefully a change of behaviour. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg

M.Ed. / HIV/AIDS needs to be treated as a national emergency and all organs of the society must be fully engaged in the struggle against it, learners in particular. Some are nursing their dying parents, while others are taking care of their siblings as they face death. So it will be the schools that can and must play an important role in helping to empower the learners with the necessary skills to be ready to meet whatever challenge they may have to face in life. Of all the learning areas, it is through the Life Orientation learning area that learners can be best empowered. Most of the problems can be faced and solved with effort. Learners need to have information about HIV/AIDS presented to them in a way which is appropriate to their age in the context of Life Orientation. Children generally know very little about HIV/AIDS and parents do not, or cannot give their children the necessary information and guidance about the disease (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Thus it is the duty of the school to fill the gap. Women and girls are the most vulnerable, as most of them are exposed to abuse and violence, particularly sexual abuse. They are financially and materially dependent on men, which means that they often cannot decide when, with whom and in what circumstances to have sex (Nursing Update, 2000). Schools can make an important contribution towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS. In the absence of a cure, education is the only defence we have (van Niekerk, 1991:80). Almost every young person attends the school, so education offers a great opportunity to discuss the disease, and help the young people to protect themselves from becoming infected, getting sick and dying. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg