Educational Challenges of AIDS Orphaned Children and Possible Solutions in Addis Ababa
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Date
2003-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
HIV/AIDS is a human catastrophic virus/disease, which has killed thousands and
thousands of people including immature growing up kids. "Today more than 13 million
children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents to AIDS (UNAIDS, 2002:3).
Undoubtedly, the number of AIDS orphans is increasing at an alarming rate and parental death
to AIDS has resulted in their dropping school, labour exploitation, stigma and discrimination.
This study has been conducted with the objective to investigate the educational
problems of AIDS orphaned children and to seek possible educational approaches to them.
'AIDS orphans are likely to be less well nourished, may be over worked by their guardians and
lack proper supervision, care and school or vocational training.... schooling for orphans is
unexplored and new issue which needs to be addressed (Gachuhi, 1999:8).
Of the various sectors, education is the one heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS
affects the demand for education, the supply and quality of education, the available resources
for education, etc. Therefore, attempts have been made to evaluate the kind of care and support
AIDS orphans have received within the extended family circle, and to see their academic
achievements, school enrollment rate, needs, values and motivations, the deficits they have had
and the solution that have been undertaken.
Using convenient and purposive sampling method, a total of 406 individuals were
selected for the study. Based on this sample two types of questionnaires have been developed to
be completed by AIDS orphans & caretakers.
The views of concerned Ministries and
Associations of HIV carriers like Dawn of Hope and Mekedim Ethiopia have been gathered by
way of an interview. Observations have been made on AIDS orphans who have themselves
viibeen HIV carriers.
Two focus group discussions were conducted with AIDS orphaned
children. The quantitative data have been analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean,
variance & standard deviation. In addition, ANOVA, t-test, Chi-square test, Spearman rho
correlation and percentage have been employed. The qualitative data gathered have been
transcribed by the use of words and sentences.
The findings of the study have revealed that more than half of the AIDS orphans are
being reared in the extended family circle. They are receiving support like wheat, food oil and
money from Associations of HIV carriers and local NGO's, but the support they get is not
sufficient and lacks uniformity among the different supporting agencies. AIDS orphans also
lack psychological support from the caretakers. The majority of the AIDS orphans who have
been included in the study have succeeded in attending schools. Most of them are in regular
schools of both government and privately owned ones, but very few are in night school
programs. Concerning class attendance a significant difference has been observed between
boys and girls. More boys attend classes than girls. AIDS orphans are found to be stigmatized
and discriminated by their age mates. Despite the prevailing stigma and discrimination, these
AIDS orphans have been found to have high self-esteem and above average self-efficacy.
However, they are not in a position to receive sufficient amount of educational materials, food
and medicine.
In line with these findings of the study, recommendations are forwarded to change the
existing Education and Training Policy for possible in a way that include the issues of AIDS
orphans and the proper implementation of ESDP statement. It also suggests a systematic &
timely data collection of the affected and infected children and teachers from as low as school
level to as high up to the Ministry of Education. The paper also proposes a way of sensitizing
and capacitating the extended family in order to realize the Community Based Rehabilitation
(CBR) program; establishing community schools; the use of distance education for AIDS
orphans; and organizing AIDS orphans to speak out their mind about their rights
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Keywords
Educational challenges, AIDS Orphans, Maternal Orphan, Paternal Orphan, Double Orphan