Accommodating Emotionally HIV/AIDS Children in the Classroom

Abstract

HIV/AIDS arrived on the world scene without warning. A few decades ago it was unknown lurking somewhere, waiting for the right moment to ambush the human race. Today HIV/AIDS covers Africa in dark clouds of fear, uncertainty and suffering. The virus has destroyed innocent hopes, desires and plans of countless numbers of people whose lives have been cut short by an unseen enemy. For those of us who live in Africa, it is a human catastrophe from which no single one of us in the region will be exempt, because HIV/AIDS affects us all. Using the qualitative approach, the study will recommend on how teachers can support the emotionally HIV/AIDS children in the classroom. This truism about the HIV/AIDS pandemic will become ever more evident and obvious as each month and year passes. The South African Gazette quotes alarming statistics proving that this pandemic in South Africa is among the most severe in the world and it continues to increase at an estimated rate of 33.8%. It is further estimated that almost 25% of the general population will be HIV positive by the year 2010. The outcome of the research will ensure that teachers and all the support structures contribute to ensure that infected and affected children in schools are cared for and supported according to their specific needs.