The leadership role of the school principals in managing HIV/AIDS in secondary schools in the Stutterheim area, Eastern Cape Province

Abstract

Education is a human basic right. The process of education and learning is the key to social, cultural and political participation, personal and community economic empowerment and national development. Human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) represent the largest single threat to this education process. In 2004, the estimated number of people living with HIV in the Eastern Cape Province was 828 993. HIV prevalence in the Eastern Cape showed an increase from 28% in 2004 to 29, 1% in 2005, which is comparative to the overall prevalence in South Africa. Based on the research findings, school principals need training to get knowledge, managerial and counseling skills and management strategies to write, implement and monitor a school HIV and AIDS policy and how to integrate HIV and AIDS education in curriculum in all grades.