Draft Department of Basic Education National Policy on HIV, STIs and TB

The Department of Basic Education published the Draft Department of Basic Education National Policy on HIV, STIs and TB in South African Government Gazette no. 38763 of 5 May 2015 for written submissions.

"Given the high level of HIV and TB co-infection in South Africa and the extent of shared vulnerability to these diseases, their potential to threaten the systemic function of different sectors is profound. HIV and TB have the effect of making existing systemic problems worse and must be dealt with as an integrated part of routine systemic management, and as a cornerstone of national multi-sectoral response. In the context of the Basic Education Sector, these diseases impact the efficiency, quality and output of the sector by temporarily or permanently depleting its human capital, weakening its systems and structures, and diverting its resources away from its core mandate of improving teaching and learning. HIV and TB should therefore be seen as a management issue and the business of every educator, manager and official in the Basic Education Sector."