PCF5: HIV/AIDS and access to learning

The Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning Wiki

A collaborative space to draft and talk about contributions to the Fifth Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF5)

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Title of session

HIV AIDS and access to learning

Session details

• Date: Wednesday 16 July 2008
• Time: 11:00 AM
• Room: Drama Studio

Session papers

• Pat Pridmore, Strengthening open learning to increase educational access in high HIV prevalence areas of sub‐Saharan Africa (292)
• Raphael Tamean, Zero effectiveness on HIV/Aids awareness and the need for a separate HIV/AIDS curriculum in Papua New Guinea (570)
• Shubhangi Vaidya, Capacity building for carers of children with learning disabilities (317)

Key Issues that arose in the session

-- Paper 1 --

• Role of open learning and how to keep children in school in line with the MDGs
• Media depends on Infrastructure
• Edutainment packages proposed which require the participation of people going to use the material.
• Teaching about HIV/AIDS early enough in schools

-- Paper 2 --

• Local context – Sexual abuses, drugs, polygamy, lack of concern.
• Study views Instructional time coverage about HIV./AIDS in the educational curriculum /formal system
• Need to translate policy into curriculum

-- Paper 3 --

• Ethnographic study of children with Autism
• Mother and Child 3 month programme provided by new NGO (Action for Autism)
• IGNOU to provide awareness and training packages

Points for future action (Policy, recommendations, commitments etc.)

• Demonstrate how research can influence policy thru an intervention model that is Low Cost + Increases Motivation + Is close to traditions, e.g. Keep-Up Clubs, School in the bag, Interactive Radio Instruction programs; Sponsored broadcasts; How to ensure continuity/empowerment
• Need for ongoing institutional support from university councils and management at different levels to support ODL methods; Creation of 7 modules for HIV/AIDS educational programme in PNG

• Regarding autism and other developmental disabilities, there is a need for sensitization since mother and child are stigmatized; also for lifelong learning and ODL methods to provide for basic care techniques; also to build communities since paucity of Autism professionals, e.g. in Delhi there are ONLY 2 child psychologists!