Ei-iE

Costa Rican teacher unions, the Asociación Nacional de Educadores (ANDE) and the Sindicato de Educadores Costarricense (SEC) became the latest unions to join the EI EFAIDS Programme in late October 2008.

In the coming months, teachers from both organisations will receive training and pass on their skills to colleagues and students in twenty regions in Costa Rica.

The launching of the Programme coincided with the signing of an agreement between the two unions and the Ministry of Education. The agreement highlights government support for the involvement of teachers in EFAIDS activities, and establishes a cross-organisational committee to oversee the implementation of the Programme in schools across the country.

Leonard Garnier, the Minister for Education, was warm in his support of the unions’ cooperation within the EI EFAIDS Programme. He commended as “excellent” the human rights based approach to HIV/AIDS Prevention and hoped that a similar approach could be adopted in relevant government policies.

Both participating unions are optimistic about implementing the EFAIDS Programme. Gilberth Diaz, President of SEC, said “we are going to influence education in Costa Rica - as organisations we exist not only to make demands, but also to contribute to society”.

José Antonio Barquero, President of ANDE, acknowledged the support of Education International and called the agreement with the Ministry of Education is “a vote of confidence in teachers nationwide”.

World AIDS Day will be among the first activities to be carried out by the unions. In addition to a parade and concert to mark the day, teachers will lead their students in the ‘One Hour on AIDS’ lesson in schools throughout Costa Rica.