A key element of the campaign against the Aids pandemic has been the adoption of a multi-pronged strategy focussing on mustering all resources to contain the spread of the disease.
A key element of the campaign against the Aids pandemic has been the adoption of a multi-pronged strategy focussing on mustering all resources to contain the spread of the disease.
To that extent, all segments of society had to be targeted for Aids education, the objective of which was to disseminate information on the disease, remove the stigma around it and lift the veil of secrecy surrounding it.
Targeting the youth - mostly of school-going age - formed part of the strategy since national Aids figures revealed disturbingly high teenage pregnancy and infection rates among this group.
Viewed against this scenario, the project initiated by the National Teachers Union (Natu) to distribute condoms at schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga makes perfect sense.
Natu aims to curb the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy and the rise of HIV-Aids at schools.
Not surprisingly, the move has angered education authorities and other teacher unions.
We believe the sentiment behind the project, which is to take Aids education to schools, is sensible and ought to be supported.
This despite the fact that Natu risks sending confusing signals: that sex is permissible at schools - and whatever the age.
Condom plan has merit
A key element of the campaign against the Aids pandemic has been the adoption of a multi-pronged strategy focussing on mustering all resources to contain the spread of the disease.
A key element of the campaign against the Aids pandemic has been the adoption of a multi-pronged strategy focussing on mustering all resources to contain the spread of the disease.
To that extent, all segments of society had to be targeted for Aids education, the objective of which was to disseminate information on the disease, remove the stigma around it and lift the veil of secrecy surrounding it.
Targeting the youth - mostly of school-going age - formed part of the strategy since national Aids figures revealed disturbingly high teenage pregnancy and infection rates among this group.
Viewed against this scenario, the project initiated by the National Teachers Union (Natu) to distribute condoms at schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga makes perfect sense.
Natu aims to curb the alarming rate of teenage pregnancy and the rise of HIV-Aids at schools.
Not surprisingly, the move has angered education authorities and other teacher unions.
We believe the sentiment behind the project, which is to take Aids education to schools, is sensible and ought to be supported.
This despite the fact that Natu risks sending confusing signals: that sex is permissible at schools - and whatever the age.