The SACMEQ HIV and AIDS Research Programme
The SACMEQ III Project will provide valuable baseline information for developing essential indicators for educational planners and decision makers in order to monitor HIV prevention education programmes in primary schools. For example, these data will contribute towards a better understanding of: important pupils’ characteristics (orphan status, gender, SES, etc.), the availability of teaching materials on HIV/AIDS, pupil and teacher absenteeism and illness, as well as the levels of knowledge on HIV and AIDS of pupils and their teachers.
SACMEQ Research Activities related to HIV and AIDS for 2009/2010
a) Construction of the SACMEQ HIV and AIDS Knowledge Test - A test of knowledge about HIV and AIDS (HAKT) based on the course content of the official curricula across the SACMEQ countries was completed by Grade 6 pupils and teachers. A “common” scale on the HAKT for pupils and teachers was constructed by using Rasch Item Response Model. The modalities of the construction steps will be available in the SACMEQ III technical report.
b) Study on the Relationship between Literacy and Health Issues in Primary Schools in Southern and Eastern Africa - The aim of this research is to explore the proposition that a minimal level of literacy is a necessary condition for being able to absorb important knowledge about HIV and AIDS.
c) Study on School Level Response to HIV and AIDS - the “School Head’s Voice” in Southern and Eastern Africa - The study will explore the perceptions of school heads regarding the adequacy of responses to the HIV and AIDS within the school and to identify the “unfulfilled” needs and inadequacies.
d) Preparation of the “HAKT Package” - The HAKT package is an operational tool that can be used to undertake a similar study on other levels of pupil knowledge about HIV and AIDS. It will contain: the HIV and AIDS Knowledge Test, an administration manual, methodology guide, etc. The package will initially be offered in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish languages. Other languages will be considered at a later stage.
e) Preparation of a Series of Policy Brief - The policy briefs will provide summaries of the main results of the SACMEQ III project and implications for decision makers:
- What do Grade 6 pupils and their teachers know about HIV and AIDS in the Southern and Eastern Africa countries?”
- “Low literacy implications for HIV and AIDS education” -based on research lessons obtained from the analysis of the SACMEQ III data on the implementation of HIV and AIDS education in the school.
- What can the education sector do to mitigate against the impact of HIV and AIDS on teachers? – The study will examine the lessons learned from the SACMEQ III project about “teachers” and HIV and AIDS in relation with teaching and the use of special resources (guides, posters, etc.) in the school.
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