the impact of hiv/aids on the education sector in tanzania

� failure to use existing radio programmes for schools to widely disseminate HIV/AIDS
information;
� a lack <strong>of</strong> capacity and skills at <strong>the</strong> district and institutional levels to coordinate
HIV/AIDS prevention, control and <strong>impact</strong> mitigation activities between different
actors (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs etc.).
In <strong>the</strong> opinion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> authors, <strong>the</strong>se points <strong>of</strong> weakness can be principally attributed to
<strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> a sector-specific HIV/AIDS policy, as highlighted in <strong>the</strong> proceeding chapter. This
lack <strong>of</strong> policy, coupled with <strong>the</strong> gaps identified, is also evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> insufficient
commitment <strong>of</strong> many in <strong>the</strong> sector to fighting <strong>the</strong> epidemic, as well as <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more practical
lack <strong>of</strong> information and knowledge about <strong>the</strong> sectoral <strong>impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> epidemic. Both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se
problems urgently need to be remedied if <strong>the</strong> issues identified above are to be remedied.
4.3.1 Tackling cultural practices
Various cultural practices that contribute to <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> AIDS were briefly outlined
in Chapter 2. Behaviours resulting from long-established cultural assumptions and beliefs, for
example that sex with a minor may cure disease, tend not to be discussed in advocacy
campaigns. However, education sector leaders must ensure that <strong>the</strong>y are fully debated and that
<strong>the</strong> risks involved are highlighted to young people, for example through peer education
sessions.
4.4 Steps needed to create a conducive environment for
effective leadership and advocacy
Effective leadership and advocacy are characterized by <strong>the</strong> firm, consistent and visible
support <strong>of</strong> leaders at all levels. Although senior leaders in Tanzania, such as His Excellency
<strong>the</strong> President and <strong>the</strong> Honourable Prime Minister, have been consistently highlighting
HIV/AIDS prevention, control and <strong>impact</strong> mitigation in <strong>the</strong>ir speeches and press conferences,
research findings have indicated that <strong>the</strong> overall steps taken have not been adequate. The
situation could be improved by:
� implementing an effective monitoring and evaluation plan to track <strong>the</strong> progress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
AIDS education programme over time;
� ensuring that <strong>the</strong> current EMIS incorporates information on HIV/AIDS, so that leaders
have adequate information upon which to base action in <strong>the</strong> sector;
� sensitizing leaders at all levels to <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> AIDS education in <strong>the</strong>ir respective
areas <strong>of</strong> jurisdiction;
� providing instruction for senior leaders in <strong>the</strong> MoEC with <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> improving <strong>the</strong>ir
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> HIV/AIDS multi-sectoral framework, including <strong>the</strong> structural
location, scope and functions <strong>of</strong> TACAIDS;
� encouraging education sector leaders at all levels to act on <strong>the</strong> presidential directive
that required <strong>the</strong>m to make HIV/AIDS a key topic at all available opportunities;
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