Managing the counselling of primary school learners affected by HIV/AIDS

Abstract

In the light of the HIVAIDS pandemic in South Africa and its potential impact on learners, counselling is still the best available tool that can be used by the school management team to deal with the loss, pain, trauma and suffering experienced by the lear:ners. This study focuses on the role and functions of the school management team in managing the counselling of primary school learners affected by HIV/AIDS in Mount Ayliff District in the Eastern Cape, using a literature review and empirical· investigation. The former discusses the HIV/AIDS phenomenon, school policy on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS counselling, and the role and functions of the school management team in managing school counselling services. Egan's model, known as the skilled helper model was used to provide an understanding of counselling services. A qualitative study investigated the views of a sample of management teams of three primary schools in Mount Ayliff District in the Eastern Cape. Sites and participants were selected by purposeful sampling. Data were collected by use of indepth interviews with two principals, two deputy principals, four heads of departments (HODs) and one senior teacher. All the interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Notes were also taken to supplement the audio-tapes. The data were later analysed. Essentially, findings illustrated that the school management team has a critical role in ensuring the provision of effective counselling services to those learners who are affected by HIV/AIDS. The data further reflected the importance of a school counsellor, an HIV/AIDS school policy and the Department of Education's intervention in training and empowering the management team in effectively managing the ravages of HIV/AIDS in schools.