The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has extended the period for public comment on the Departments Draft National Policy on HIV, STI’s and TB, due to the public interest expressed by many South Africans and various stakeholders in education. The initial comment period closed on Tuesday 26 May 2015 and has now been extended to Friday 19 June 2015.
The extension will afford parties who are yet to comment the opportunity to do so, while also allowing the Department to present the Draft Policy at the 7th Annual SA AIDS Conference taking place from the 9th to the 12th of June at the Durban ICC. The Conference provides a unique platform and opportunity for various experts and activists in the field to reflect on what has been done across the spectrum of sectors in the country in response to the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB (NSP), 2012-2016.
The DBE will also be hosting a pre-conference even on the 8th June 2015, 09h00-14h00 at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani Hotel, in Durban. The aim of the Pre-Conference meeting is to share experiences, lessons learnt and to stimulate robust engagement with the sector’s policy on HIV prevention, care and support in schools, given the discourse in the sector and in DBE, on the place of Life Orientation, and HIV and sexuality education for learners.
The Draft National Policy has received enormous interest from members of the public, NGOs and other stakeholders, and we are encouraged by the level of public participation thus far.
The draft policy articulates the Department’s approach and intention in responding to HIV, STIs and TB including the provision of sexual and reproductive health services within the education sector. This ground breaking draft policy is the first of its kind to link the education department’s response to the duel epidemics of HIV and TB in the education sector.
This draft policy will replace the 1999 Department of Education National Policy on HIV/AIDS for learners and educators in public schools and students and educators in Further Education and Training Institutions.
All interested persons and organisations are invited to direct their comments to: The Acting Director-General, Department of Basic Education, Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001, for attention the attention of Ms A Dano, Acting Director: Health Promotion Directorate. Or by Fax to: 012 328 8401 Or E-mail: dano.a@dbe.gov.za. Comments can also be given to Department officials at Aids conference for those who choose to submit their input at the Aids conference.
The gazette and draft policy is available on the Department’s website at www.education.gov.za or www.gpwonline.co.za
Enquiries:
Elijah Mhlanga
Cell: 083 580 8275
Troy Martens
Cell: 079 899 3070
