NAMIBIA: Teacher numbers depleted by AIDS

A new report by Namibia's education authorities estimates that around 3,360 teachers could be lost due to HIV/AIDS by 2010.

"Evidence suggests teacher losses averaged 1.5 percent over the last two years with a higher rate of 2 percent in the North," the report said.

The report also called for a national antiretroviral (ARV) plan and for the introduction of HIV prevention skills programmes for educators.

"We must sort this problem [the lack of ARVs] out. We need a plan on how to replenish the teachers," the ministry's director of basic education and co-author, Claudia Tjikuua, told the UN news service PlusNews.

Health minister Libertina Amathila last Friday said the government would implement a free treatment plan within two months.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]