The role of schools in raising HIV and AIDS awareness among students in public secondary school in the urban district of Zanzibar.

HIV has to a certain extent affected the education sector and AIDS in Zanzibar, there is a growing concern about the vulnerability of students in schools Statistics show that some students are already infected. However, there is limited information to make assessment of the extent to which students have been affected by AIDS epidemic. Many researchers have recommended that HIV and AIDS education and awareness raising in schools and colleges can be very useful tools and effective way that can enhance students understanding of HIV and AIDS. for fighting against HIV and AIDS infection and spread among students. The main purpose of this study is to explore how HIV and AIDS awareness is raised among students in public secondary schools in the urban district of Zanzibar. The study also suggests measures that can be used to raise students awareness on HIV and AIDS in schools. This is due to the reality that many students in secondary schools are sexually active and engage in sex.. The study used qualitative design and the methods that were used in collecting data were face-to-face interviews, group interviews and document analyses. The study found that the HIV and AIDS information that is supposed to be taught through the mainstream curriculum is rarely taught. For those teachers who make an effort, they only give an introduction which according to some students is not enough to make them understand better. Also there are limited programs and activities in schools to raise students awareness on HIV and AIDS in addition to classroom instructions in schools. Nearly all respondents recommended that the HIV and AIDS education that is provided in the classrooms be enhanced and promoted. schools should put in place programs and practices that will help to raise students awareness on HIV and AIDS. This can help them change their sexual behavioural practices as all respondents agreed that most students in secondary schools are sexually active. In conclusion, the study findings are in agreement with the views of many researchers that, HIV and AlDS education provided in the class rooms is not sufficient to make students better understand HIV and ADS, and that there is a need raising HIV and AIDS awareness through different programs in schools as suggested by teachers and students in the study