Education and HIV/AIDS: A Window of Hope

Published by the World Bank in collaboration with the Partnership for Child Development, Imperial College London, this 104-page paper intends to lays out a strategic direction for the World Bank in responding to the impact of HIV/AIDS on education systems, and in helping develop an effective preventative response.

This paper discusses that the education of children and youth merits the highest priority in a world afflicted by HIV/AIDS. "This is because a good basic education ranks among the most effective-and cost-effective-means of HIV prevention. It also merits priority because the very education system that supplies a nation's future is being gravely threatened by the epidemic, particularly in areas of high or rising HIV prevalence. Thus countries face an urgent need to strengthen their education systems, which offer a window of hope unlike any other for escaping the grip of HIV/AIDS. Vigorous pursuit of Education for All (EFA) goals is imperative, along with education aimed at HIV prevention."

Topics include:

• Uganda HIV/AIDS Control Project
• Skills-based health education
• Protecting Nigeria's education systems: Planning is indispensable
• A youth-to-youth school health programme for HIV/AIDS-affected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
• School-age orphans in Africa

In addition, an accompanying video, Window of Hope, is a related resource. Shot on location in Kenya and Ghana, the 30-minute film follows 3 teachers as they impart their knowledge of HIV to students and equip them with the life skills required to avoid infection. The teachers also engage with parents and colleagues, who, in turn, spread HIV knowledge to their communities. To watch Window of Hope (available in English, French, and Portuguese), please click here. To order a hard copy of the film (available in English, French, and Portuguese on the one DVD), please email pcd@imperial.ac.uk