The Role of Language and Education in Eradicating HIV/AIDS in Africa: Evidence from Parents, Teachers, and Students

The study focuses on the eradication and reversal of the spread of HIV/AIDS (human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) as one of the main thrusts of Africa’s 21st Century Development Goals. It investigates the significant role which language and education can play in fast tracking the attainment of this goal using a three-pronged approach. First, it assesses parents, teachers, and students awareness of the reality and spread of the epidemic; Second, it evaluates sexuality education as an intervention; and Third, it assesses the use of indigenous languages in the awareness programmes and prevention campaigns. To this end, questionnaires and structured interview were used for data collection. Means, SD (standard deviation), t-test, and analysis of variance statistical tools were employed for data analysis. Implications of findings for curriculum development, prevention, and spread of HIV/AIDS were discussed and recommendations advanced