iClinic - July 28, 2000
Marjolein Harvey
According to SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) spokesperson Hassen Lorgat, one in six teachers died of AIDS-related opportunistic diseases, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, meningitis and lymphoma.
"Between August 1999 and May 2000, a significant percentage of 701 deaths of Sadtu members have been attributed to AIDS," said Lorgat in an Educator's Voice editorial on Friday.
On hearing the results of the study, Sadtu leadership said it was "shocking" and education was facing a "crisis", while announcing that the matter will be discussed at the national executive committee meeting in August.
But AIDS death figures of educators in this country are expected to be much higher. The cause of death is generally not clearly indicated by doctors, funeral schemes and government records - euphemisms such as "natural causes" are generally used out of fear of stigmatisation and discrimination of family members.
A good indication that AIDS is behind the "natural causes" of death is a steady increase over the last decade in deaths in the 30-39 year age group - 48.34% of the deceased on Sadtu's records - the highest prevalence group for HIV.
About 30% of deaths in Sadtu's records were in the 40-49 year age group, and more than 10% of teachers who died were younger than 30.
"It is clear that HIV/AIDS will have catastrophic consequences for our country's already beleaguered education system if the HIV/AIDS incidence amongst teachers cannot be turned around, said New National Party (NNP) spokesperson on education, Andr Gaum.
"If one takes into account that many learners and their parents also have HIV/AIDS, a much darker picture comes to mind that could soon force the education system to an almost complete standstill."
Gaum says that President Thabo Mbeki and his government must "stop bickering about the causes of HIV/AIDS and should rather intervene drastically".
The NNP proposes that each school should be targeted, and guidance regarding abstinence rather than the use of condoms should form the basis of education in this regard, and parents should also be involved in such a campaign.
"Education Minister Kadar Asmal will also have to take into account the reality of a dramatically shrinking corps of teachers. While he is closing down teacher's colleges left and right, it is clear that there will soon be a critical shortage of teachers," says Gaum.
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