EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 1 Addressing Stigma and Discrimination of HIV/AIDS in the Kenya Education Sector

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 2 Presented to the Regional Video conference on Addressing Stigma and Discrimination of HIV/AIDS in Africa

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 3 1. COUNTRY STATUS AND CONTEXT The population of Kenya is 33.8 Million and 43% is below 15 years The school age children of 6-13 years are about 7.6m and 14 – 17 million are about 3.1 million. 1.8 Million children are estimated to be orphaned by HIV and AIDS 12% of HIV positive adults know their HIV status 1/3 of secondary school students are engaged in sex

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 4Country NAC Logo Organization Logo 2. Policy Framework for Mainstreaming Responses to HIV Stigma and Discrimination The Kenya National AIDS Strategic plan 2005/6-2009/10 The HIV and AIDS control Bill, 2006 The Kenya Public Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS, 2005 The Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) The Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS,2003 The TSC Sub Sector Workplace policy on HIV and AIDS, 2006

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 5 2. Policy Framework for Mainstreaming Responses to HIV Stigma and Discrimination The Children's ACT The Kenya national OVC policy The Kenya National Youth policy The MoH/MoE Joint School Health and Nutrition Policy KNUT Workplace policy on HIV and AIDS The Kenya Private Sector HIV and AIDS Policy

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 6 Prevention Curriculum mainstreaming Capacity building Condom distribution Advocacy Voluntary counselling and testing Information, Education & Communication Care & Support Support for MVCs Psycho social support for learner & employees KENEPOTE support groups HIV/AIDS progammes at Workplace Leadership HR and HIV policies Coordination & partnerships

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 7Country NAC Logo Organization Logo ACHIVEMENTS Implementation of GIPA at national level Existence of psycho-social support groups for teachers (KENEPOTE) Impact assessment study carried out among teachers in 3 districts Support for MVCs initiated in primary schools Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in the curriculum at all levels Initiated access of funds through MTEF

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 8 ACHIVEMENTS CONT.. Advocacy through print and electronic media, production of videos (Courage and Hope), Supporting MVCs with educational needs supported their equitable participation in schools without the stigma of not having educational materials, uniforms etc… like other children; Providing Counseling and guidance services to these children minimize the intensity of the stigma; Teaching on how to avoid stigma and discriminatory attitudes and practices

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 9 LESSONS LEARNT Provision of grants to support purchase of learning materials enhances return, retention, and new enrolments increasing participation of Most Vulnerable children The existence of psycho social support groups of HIV positive teachers reduces stigma serves as an entry point for support for the infected and affected learners and teachers Mainstreaming HIV responses in the KESSP may accelarate stigma reduction

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 10 LESSONS LEARNT Urgent need to scale up support for MVCs to cover more schools and go beyond the primary schools Need to carry out an impact assessment study to inform decision making Need to undertake M&E with a focus to stigma and discrimination in learning institutions and workplaces

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 11 WHAT HAS WORKED WELL Establishment of Centers of excellence to sustain interventions partnership Allowing teachers living with HIV and AIDS to associate Flexibility in working hours as advocated for in the policy for infected and affected employees

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 12 CHALLENGES Many interventions are yet to cover all schools Coordination has not been strengthened to avoid duplication of interventions to target groups

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 13 CHALLENGES Limited financial resources to reach all the needy MVCs Changes of trained school committee members Discrepancy in legal frameworks vis a vis the age of a child Gender disparity among KENEPOTE Sustainability of the psycho social support groups and balance between the core responsibility and the task

EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE-KENYACountry NAC Logo Organization Logo 14 WAY FORWARD Enhance coordination to sustain support which is responsive to reduction of stigma among MVCs Conference on stigma and Discrimination within the education sector for targeted interventions Capacity building to address issues of stigma and discrimination at all levels