Michael Nasheya is the EFAIDS Coordinator at NANTU, the Namibia National Teachers' Union.
1) Can you tell us something about your recent cooperation with the Ministry of Education on HIV and AIDS?
Some time ago, the Ministry of Education in Namibia realised that they didn’t want to make decisions on their own any more. They now want to fully include the unions from the beginning in their policy making. Thus NANTU has been involved in the drafting of the new National AIDS Policy from the outset of the process. Two of our national EFAIDS trainers are on the editorial board which is responsible for the policy. They will be present for the launching of the policy on November 27, just in time for World AIDS Day. We at NANTU want to make sure that this policy reaches everybody. We will be getting the word out about it, and we want to make sure that it is available electronically so as to reach a maximum audience.
2) Can you give us some examples of the elements included in this national policy on HIV/AIDS?
At the moment the policy is still in draft format. However, I can tell you that it contains references to the importance of non-discrimination and equality with regard to learners and students living with HIV and AIDS; voluntary, free HIV testing for all; admission and continued attendance at school for those living with HIV and AIDS; and for Orphans and Vulnerable Children not to be neglected. The need for confidentiality is also an important point within the policy, as is the importance of creating schools that are safe for learners and teachers.
3) What are your plans for World AIDS Day, December 1 2007?
We are going to commemorate World AIDS Day in partnership with the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Culture, UNESCO and organisations of people living with HIV and AIDS. In the past, teachers in the regions came forward to NANTU to organise the setting up of a network or platform to share ideas and problems and so that they can also contribute to the education of others in the region. So to mark World AIDS Day, NANTU plan to launch a network of teachers living with HIV and AIDS. On December 1, NANTU will also organise a kind of health forum. We have invited doctors to come and set up stands to talk to people about HIV/AIDS and Voluntary Counselling and Testing, but also about Tuberculosis, Malaria, and so on.