THE BATTLE to save our young people from the scourge of HIV/AIDS cannot be won without multi-sectoral participation. While the Government and non-government organisations have been tackling the crisis as it affects the whole society, much more needs to be done.
The Ministry of Health is the logical lead agency for a national approach, but in dealing with the threat to the youth specifically, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture should have special responsibility. With its unique and specialised access to the youth through a highly developed network, this agency should be at the forefront in health education and the promotion of behavioural change.
This Ministry, however, appears to be slow, or maybe hesitant to address boldly and comfortably, matters pertaining to the various aspects of human sexuality. As the head of the Guidance Counselling Unit told the latest session of The Gleaner's Editors' Forum on Wednesday, the priority given to Family Life and Health Education is left up to individual schools.
And even where it is given some priority it appears that the depth, relevance and general content of this approach are dependent on the teachers' own knowledge and comfort level with the subject.
Unsafe sexual practices are prevalent among the youth. Studies have indicated that about 36 per cent of adolescents in the age group 10 to 19 years are engaging in sexual activity, and one in four sexually active adolescent has had a sexually transmitted infection. The Ministry, through its schools, still does not identify that correcting negative sexual practices is fundamental to a healthy school environment.
Or is it that the Ministry is already struggling under the weight of teaching mathematics and English and other subjects of the school curricula?
Parents must get involved in supporting schools that already recognise and embrace sexual health education. Parents must insist and ensure that effective sexual health education programmes are implemented in their children's schools.
We dare say, that given the crisis, any school not equipped to empower students with essential knowledge about HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health is neglecting an important aspect of the learning process. The old adage invokes prayer for "...mens sana in corpore sano" - a sound mind in a sound body.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
