Jamaica: Cabinet Approves HIV/AIDS Policy for Schools

According to Minister of Information Sen. Burchell Whiteman, Jamaica's Cabinet has approved a policy document on the management of HIV/AIDS in schools. The policy will ensure a balance between protecting those who might be at risk because of contact and the rights of individuals with HIV/AIDS to be in educational institutions.

Whiteman said the document seeks to provide guidelines for dealing with students engaged in physical activities -- such as sports -- where there might be bleeding, and HIV/AIDS education. "The policy is aimed at instilling non-discriminatory attitudes toward persons with HIV/AIDS, be they staff or students, through public education," Whiteman said.

He said schools will assume a great deal of responsibility for managing the process of dealing with HIV/AIDS students, but that the overall responsibility for monitoring will rest with the education ministry's guidance and counseling unit. Whiteman could not elaborate on the policy but said it will give very clear directions on dealing with situations that might arise.

The policy followed a report of about 40 new AIDS cases in children under age 10 between January and June 2002. The education ministry said that for the next two years it will continue to focus on students and teachers, grades 1-12, with special emphasis on schools in the parishes of St. Catherine and St. James, where the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS is a major concern.

Back to other news for January 15, 2004