By Allan Kibet
National Aids Control Council (NACC), a state corporation in the ministry of health (MoE) tasked with the mandate of HIV response in Kenya has organized a workshop to train education officials in 15 counties.
The body has taken up the task to train the officials on the reduction of HIV and TB infections, and barring stigma relating to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and discrimination.
The counties selected for the training programme are as follow; Laikipia, Kilifi, Marsabit, Bungoma, Turkana, Mandera, West Pokot, Embu, Migori, Kiambu, Samburu, Baringo, Kitui, Tana River and Lamu.
In a circular released by the state department of early learning and basic education in Ministry of Education, the workshop which will be conducted virtually targets County and Sub-county Education officials, TSC Directors and officials, Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO), Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) officials, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) officials, and Kenya Private Schools Representatives.
The circular, that was signed by Hassan A. Duale on behalf of the principal secretary on May 5, further added that the workshop begun on May 16 and is slated to end on May 20.
Additionally, the letter that was addressed to all County Directors of Education requested them to nominate participants, whose lists were sent to NACC CEO, Salome Ochola.
The workshop is expected to accommodate 752 participants from the counties per day.
It also stated that participants are provided with data bundles for participation – as it is based online – according to NACC rates.
HIV/AIDs among other diseases have negatively impacted education across the country. High infant mortality rates have reduces the number of children in school as well as teachers in terms of mortality and productivity.
According to a research report prepared by Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), an in-depth discussion with members of Kenya Network of Positive Teachers (KENEPOTE) in Nairobi revealed that HIV positive teachers were unwilling to disclose their status because of issues relating to stigma. However, a United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) report revealed that there were an estimated 15,680 teachers in Kenya who are living with HIV/AIDS by the year 2014.
