Education dept. alarmed over rising number of HIV cases

WITH the alarming rate of young people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the Department of Education (DepEd) said that there is a need for a more active approach to the issue which is regarded as an “educational emergency.”

Dr. Lolita Andrada of the department’s Bureau of Secondary Education admitted that the matter is now an urgent concern for them, after a recent report conducted by the Health department and the United Nations Children’s Education Fund’s (Unicef) revealed that about a third of all new incurred infections occur in young people between 15 years old to 24 years old.

“With this increasing number of youth [within age ranges] 15 to 24 infected with HIV, we need to be proactive in our approach as we recognize this silent epidemic,” she said.

The survey conducted among young people on HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) awareness showed 73 percent of them thought they were immune to the disease; and only 18 percent to 24 percent among high risk 15 year olds to 17 year olds were able to answer five simple questions on HIV.

Andrada, however, clarified that the issue is not about sex education but the promotion of like skills that can aid the youth on coping and managing challenges faced by adolescents.

“This is not really to indoctrinate the students but teach them the skills, get them back to the fundamentals, for skills will help them endure in life,” she emphasized.

Among the recommendations of Unicef included investing in education and training the youth about the disease; advocating opportunities for young people to voice out their views; and promoting laws, principles and programs protecting the rights of both children and adolescents against exploitation.

The department has partnered with Unicef in producing education materials for a campaign to better educate the high school youth regarding HIV and STIs.

The video, entitled “Power of You,” focuses on familiarizing the youth with self-awareness, critical and decision making, expressing ones view, resisting peer pressure, problem solving and access to information. –Maria Nikka U. Garriga, Manila Times