COMBATING HIV/AIDS THROUGH AN ODL TEACHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: A Framework

1. COMBATING HIV/AIDS THROUGH AN ODL TEACHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME:A Framework By Institution Red of the Republic of Bonazaswa

2. BACKGROUND (1) 1. CONTEXT • Bonazaswa located in Sub-Saharan Africa • Land-locked • Area 1 000 000 sq.km • Population: 2 mln, • Density: 2 persons/sq.km • Independent for 3 decades • Mining, tourism, agriculture are pillars of economy • Av.econ.growth rate of 6% over past 5 years • Life Expectancy dropped from 65 to 45 years in past 5 years

3. BACKGROUND (2) 2. Impact of HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS a problem of unprecedented proportions in Bonazaswa - skilled labour depleting at alarming rate - up to 50% of population infected - annual infection rate is 10% - no. of orphans skyrocketing - the teaching profession one of the hardest hit - 10% teachers die annually due to HIV/AIDS (1,400 teacher deaths in the last year) => ultimately affects socio- economic development 1

4. BACKGROUND (3) • 3. Rationale • Education has the potential to turn situation around • Role of the teacher as a change agent becomes paramount • they are in contact with large sections of the society - learners, parents, communities, churches, orphans, etc. • Hence the need for a national ODL programme through which teachers will develop a better understanding of HIV/AIDS-related issues, and be able to educate the communities in which they work.

5. Vision Statement • To build an educated and economically empowered nation through a high quality ODL Teacher Development Programme that reduces the spread and mitigates the impact of HIV/AIDS

6. Target Groups • Practicing teachers • Trainee teachers • Retired teachers =>Total of 20,000 teachers to be trained over 3 years

7. Learners’ Profile • All have sec. school leaving certificate • Majority have not studied through ODL • their ages range between 18-65 years, majority 18-40 age group • 60% is female and 40% male • most working in remote areas , with limited access to learning & technological resources.

8. PURPOSE • To empower teachers to respond positively to the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and to act as change agents by educating the nation on the scourge

9. Assumptions • The current educational level of target groups will enable them to cope with the envisaged programme • Teachers will rise to the occasion, are committed and will be passionate about their role • the integrity and credibility of teachers • support of the communities and all other critical partners • Learning/Resource centres available and accessible to target group • Organisation Red has already trained tutors who are Knowledgeable on HIV/AIDS issues • HIV/AIDS records are kept at national level)

10. Indicators of Success 1. Total trained teachers = 20,000 at the end of 3-year period (2005), broken down as follows:- Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total Intake 1 3,000 3,000 4,000 10,000 Intake 2 3,000 3,000 4,000 10,000 Total 6,000 6,000 8,00020,000 2. Teacher mortality due to HIV/AIDS reduced from 10% to 5% by 2005 3. Reducedrate of new infections by 50% by end of 2005 4. Increase in life expectancy by at least 5 years for everybody by 2010 5. Improved quality of education - falling drop-out rates, increased teacher-learner contact hours

11. Teaching & Learning Strategies 1. Provide learner support • Provide a set of high quality self-study printed materials,, audio cassettes, video cassettes, including assignments • orientation session for learners at start of Programme • Monthly face-to-face tutorial sessions • study circles 2. Learner Assessment • end of module assignments 3. Radio Programmes

12. Course Outline A course will consist of 3 modules over 6 months: Module 1 - HIV/AIDS: Facts & Figures Life skills Module 2 - Innovative methodologies for imparting life skills & HIV/AIDS information Module 3 - Supporting infected and affected people

13. Implementation The ODL Teacher Development Programme will be implemented by Organisation Red in partnership with other key players

14. Partners • Communities • Pre-service teacher training colleges • Schools • Churches • Ministries of Education, Health, Information/Broadcasting, and others • Universities • Teachers • Teacher Unions =>This programme will be offered in addition to what is already being offered by other providers

15. Resource Implications • Expertise on - Course development & design - Content writers & editors - information technology • Provision of textbooks and other teaching/learning materials • Equipment & facilities for resource centres (audio-visual cassettes and equipment, computers, etc) • Administrative support structures- upgrade learner record system, expanding the MIS • One video mobile unit • vehicles • Staff time:- - 30% of staff time required during development and implementation of Programme • Part-time staff • Budget

16. Monitoring & Evaluation • Establish a Management Information System (MIS) to: a) monitor the implementation of the Programme (tutorials, materials, learner progress, end of module evaluation questionnaire) b) undertake a summative evaluation/ impact assessment

17. End of Presentation • APPLAUSE!!!