The Education Sector HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy

Abstract

Although Uganda has made commendable progress in addressing HIV/AIDS, the epidemic is still a major health and socio-economic problem. Mortality and morbidity due to HIV/ AIDS are still high, the orphan problem has been aggravated and household food security has been compromised. Enterprises are also experiencing declining production and profitability due to HIV/AIDS. The latest Uganda HIV/AIDS sero-behavioral survey,2004/2005 indicates a prevalence rate of 6.4 % for the general population and incidence (number of new infections) of about 130,000 per year. Effect of HIV and AIDS on the Education Sector The epidemic is posing a great challenge to the Education sector, lowering the performance through illness and death of highly qualified and experienced staff and through the diversion of the limited resources to care for sickly and ill workforce. Scope of the initiative for curbing HIV and AIDS Epidemic In 2004, MoES1 decided to develop an HIV and AIDS Policy for the whole education sector. As a component of the Education sector HIV and AIDS policy, the workplace policy addresses all HIV and AIDS related issues at the Education workplaces. Scope of the Workplace Policy is: • Ministry of Education and Sports Headquarters’ • Parastatal and Commissions • Schools, Colleges and Institutions Purpose of the Workplace Policy HIV and AIDS The purpose of the workplace policy is to ensure a consequent and equitable approach to the prevention of HIV and AIDS amongst the sector employees and to the comprehensive management of the consequences of HIV and AIDS, including care and support for employees living with HIV and AIDS. For all interventions described in this document, the immediate families of the employees shall be included, where possible. Framework of the HIV and AIDS Policy The Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS for Education Institutions is part of the overall Public Service Human Resource Policy, dealing with HIV and AIDS at the workplace and the family environment and shall be integrated into all relevant policy and procedure manuals for MoES. Ministry of Education & Sports Commitment • MoES recognises the seriousness of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. • MoES commits itself to providing leadership to implement an HIV and AIDS Workplace Programme. • MoES acknowledges its commitment to ensure a workplace institutions.  that guarantees a non-discriminatory environment for persons affected by HIV and AIDS that will encourage HIV positive employees to be open about their status. • MoES has developed and shall implement this policy in consultation with employees at all levels. • MoES seeks to minimize the social and economic consequences of the pandemic to MoES including affiliated Parasatals and Commission, schools, Colleges and • MoES has ensured that the workplace policy is in compliance with existing laws in general and regarding HIV and AIDS in Uganda and with the ILO Code of Practice on HIV and AIDS and the world of work.