Project Database
EFAIDS Programme
| Country: | Jamaica |
| Start Date: | 2007-01-01 |
| Deadline: | 2010-12-31 |
| Host organisations: |
Jamaican Teachers’ Association
(JTA)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
Education International (EI)
World Health Organisation (WHO) Education Development Center (EDC) |
| Related Links: |
JTA website |
| Grouping: | EI Education For All-HIV/AIDS Prevention (EFAIDS) Programme |
Project Summary:
The Jamaica Teachers’ Association, which represents 17,000 teachers, is seriously concerned with the rapid growth in HIV infections in the country. In its effort to decrease the number of persons contracting HIV, has trained more than 3,300 teachers from 210 schools in 2008, building capacity so that they, in turn, can train their colleagues.
JTA has not only focused on increasing the numbers of teachers with the ability to disseminate information on HIV and AIDS, but it has also empowered teachers and students to develop life-skills which will help them avoid contracting HIV and STIs and reduce related discrimination. The Association has made efforts to reach out to society and to familiarise teachers, parents, learners and community groups with the union’s policy against stigma and discrimination to people living with HIV and AIDS. As part of its strategy, JTA has run ads on radio shows and organized activities on World AIDS Day.
The union’s Study Circles and the HIV Coordinating Committee are currently working on the development of a Workplace HIV and AIDS policy. During 2008 the JTA monitored the Education for All Programme in Jamaica and participated actively in the Education Transformation Programme which aims to increase the quality of education in Jamaica.
During 2008, JTA increased teachers’ capacity to train their colleagues in the issues relevant to the Education Transformation Programme with specific emphasis on; dropout rates in schools, quality education, class size access and equity, gender equity
JTA is carrying out research on the impact of the Reform of Secondary Education (R.O.S.E.) Programme in the Western Region and will share this overview of the practical situation with the Government and other education sector stakeholders, as well as using it in its own work to advocate for better quality education.
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Antigua and Barbuda - EFAIDS Programme Belize - EFAIDS Programme Dominica - EFAIDS Programme Grenada - EFAIDS Programme Guyana - EFAIDS Programme Haiti - 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
