Project Database
EFAIDS Programme
| Country: | Belize |
| Start Date: | 2007-01-01 |
| Deadline: | 2010-12-31 |
| Host organisations: |
Belize National Teachers’ Union
(BNTU)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
Education International (EI)
World Health Organisation (WHO) Education Development Center (EDC) |
| Related Links: | |
| Grouping: | EI Education For All-HIV/AIDS Prevention (EFAIDS) Programme |
Project Summary:
The growing incidence of HIV and AIDS in Belize continues to pose serious challenges to the country. With an HIV prevalence rate of 2.4 percent, Belize has the highest rate in Central America. The Belize National Teachers’ Union recognizes the serious effects of HIV and AIDS on the socio-economic and family structures of Belize. In view of this, BNTU has played an active role in educating people and communities in adopting and practising healthy life-styles. The union has also supported the Ministry of Education in the introduction of the Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Curriculum in all schools.
The gender dimension of the epidemic – 59 percent of new cases in 2007 occurred among women (ages 15-49) – has been taken into account by BNTU, which promotes training with EI material on Building Gender Safe Schools.
Activities in 2008
BNTU aimed to train 50 Union/Schools’ Representatives in various schools and education institutions, at various levels (pre-school to tertiary) in the two northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk. The union engaged in publicity campaigns promoting a broader knowledge and awareness of the negative effects of HIV and AIDS and on the need to promote Gender Safe Schools. BNTU worked towards reducing negative gender stereotyping and gender inequalities; focusing primarily on Primary and Secondary levels of schooling.
The union conducted workshops to provide teachers with knowledge and basic facts on HIV and AIDS, addressing issues such as stigma and discrimination and how to promote greater involvement of People living with HIV and AIDS. The workshops also provided participants with the knowledge to create and develop a safe learning environment.
With a view to increasing the number of students enrolled in primary education, the union embarked on research to find out the number of school-aged children engaged in some form of work and who are presently not attending school. With the results of the research the union will be well placed to advocate (with the Government, Ministries of Education and Labour, parents and supporting agencies such as UNICEF, National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC)) for strategies to enroll these children in school.
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Antigua and Barbuda - EFAIDS Programme Dominica - EFAIDS Programme Grenada - EFAIDS Programme Guyana - EFAIDS Programme Haiti - EFAIDS Programme Jamaica - EFAIDS Programme Saint Kitts and Nevis - EFAIDS Programme Saint Lucia - EFAIDS Programme Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - EFAIDS Programme Suriname - EFAIDS Programme Trinidad and Tobago - EFAIDS Programme
