1. MoEYS Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia HIV/AIDS in the Education Sector in Cambodia The 7th Meeting of WGEFA, UNESCO Paris, 19-21 July 2006 Presentation by H.E. Im Sethy Secretary of State and Vice Chair of the National EFA Commission

2. Why is HIV/AIDS Education Important in Cambodia?  Tragic history: The country can’t loose another generation.  Highest prevalent rate (1.9%) of the region,  50% of pop. is less than 20 years old and have new risks and temptations,  30% of the population (>15-year old) is illiterate and not always have access to information on HIV/AIDS  Over 10,000 Street Children in Phnom Penh,  58% of girls drop out of school after grade 5 (57% for boys)

3. Estimated number of people aged 15- 49 living with HIV/AIDS, 1990-2003, Cambodia:

4. HIV/AIDS is a priority for the Royal Government of Cambodia:  The Government needs to continue to rebuilt the society and ensuring proper education and health services,  Cambodian youth is increasingly exposed to HIV/AIDS and to new social temptation and risks. In this context, MoEYS is implementing a National programme to deliver HIV/AIDS education in public school as well as reaching out to the most vulnerable children who do not yet have access to education.

5. What are the Legal Instruments?  The National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2006-2010: To reduce new infections of HIV/AIDS; To provide care and support to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS; To alleviate the socio-economic & human impact of AIDS on the individual, family, community & society.  The National Law on HIV/AIDS mentions that MoEYS is responsible for: Integrating HIV/AIDS education in school curriculum; Focusing on In and Out-of-School Youth; Training Teachers; Cooperating with the civil society and NGOs.

6. Why is it important for MoEYS to fight HIV/AIDS ? At least 3 reasons:  MoEYS is responsible for the Cambodian youth (in and out of school),  MoEYS is responsible for protecting its labor force from HIV/AIDS (over 100,000 staff),  MoEYS needs to develop new teaching methodologies and address new sensitive topics such as reproductive health and drug abuses.

7. What will happen if HIV/AIDS infections increase ?  The enrolment will fall,  Skilled teachers could die,  Drop outs will increase,  The quality of education will decrease,  The financial resources allocated to education could be reduced to cover health.

8. How is the MoEYS organized to fight HIV/AIDS?  The Interdepartmental Committee for HIV/AIDS (ICHA) was created in 1999 and is chaired by a Secretary of State,  ICHA is composed of 15 MoEYS Departments,  ICHA has a Strategic Plan and Annual Work Plans, supported by bilateral and multilateral donors,  ICHA 2006 annual budget is over USD 1,3 million.  DFID is providing a budget of USD 5 million

9. ICHA ‘s Top Priorities:  Develop HIV/AIDS policies and systems,  Develop HIV/AIDS curriculum and textbooks,  Train teachers (Pre and In-Service),  National preventive education program for (approx. 6 million Cambodian youth),  Raise awareness of the MoEYS staff,  Reduce stigma and discrimination,  Progressively address sensitive topics and issues (Reproductive health, Drugs, Street Children).

10. The Ministry’s main achievements:  HIV/AIDS is integrated in the Curriculum in grade 6,7,8 and 9,  A Life Skills Policy is implemented,  HIV/AIDS is part of the National Examination Plans,  HIV/AIDS textbooks and IEC are produced,  Pre and In-Service Teacher Trainings are progressively implemented across the country.  A Donor Coordination mechanism is established.

11. Integrating HIV/AIDS in the Education Reform Program:  Educational Plans (EFA, ESP and a related ESSP) have included measures to address a number of cross-cutting issues, including ICT and HIV/AIDS  Develop an effective partnership and to decentralize the planning and management of HIV/AIDS awareness programs  Need to put in place sustainable financing systems for HIV/AIDS awareness program delivery

12. Longer Term HIV/AIDS Planning in Education:  Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is not a sufficient condition for HIV/AIDS related behavior change  Adopt a long term and inter-generational view of HIV/AIDS prevention, involving grandparents, parents, young people and students  Continue to concentrate our efforts on rebuilding the society and ensuring proper education and health services to our population

13. Conclusion:  Inclusive and universal schooling is designed to optimize the effectiveness and coverage of specific HIV/AIDS education programs  Improve opportunities to attend school as a key strategy in reducing the vulnerability of Cambodia’s young people to HIV/AIDS

14. Welcome information on MoEYS website: www.moeys.gov.khwww.moeys.gov.kh Thank You.