Teachers' understandings of the HIV/AIDS crisis affecting children

M.Ed.South African teachers have been called upon to find ways to promote supportive and caring behaviour towards children infected with, and affected by HIV/AIDS. This study presents the different experiences, ideas and concerns that need to be expressed and considered before teachers can examine in what ways they are prepared to act, to address the impacts of HIV/AIDS on children. The aims of the research and the methodology of this study arose from the viewpoint that understanding is an evolving process and that there are different ways in which people view HIV/AIDS. A qualitative, case study based research design was used to gain insight into teachers' views and beliefs about HIV/AIDS. This was coup!ed with basic principles of the action research approach and provided the framework in which teachers with diverse experiences and backgrounds could collectively investigate and expand on their understandings of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the research was to gain insight into teachers' understandings of the HIV/AIDS crisis affecting children. Focus group discussions, participant journal entries, researcher memos and group activities, based on the content of the topic, were the data sources. The focus group discussions were taperecorded for transcription. Group activities were analysed and used as prompts for dialogue during the research process. Participant journal entries, transcriptions and the researcher memos were analysed to identify themes and to check evolving concepts. The aim was to identify and to articulate the meanings the participants attached to the recurring features. The key findings of this study were that the participants had a limited understanding of HIV/AIDS. Their understandings stemmed from certain values and biases that they had. As their understandings unfolded they realised that disclosure about HIV/AIDS is influenced by fear, stigma, myths and misconceptions. In their understandings of how HIV/AIDS impacts on children the following themes were identified: • Families disintegrate, • financial strain, • society reacts with hostility and blame, • school life is disrupted and • a loved one is lost. Finally, the participants felt that through talking openly, providing education and modeling empathy and compassion, they could respond positively to the HIV/AIDS crisis, affecting children. Of significance to this study is that understanding required self-awareness and reflection and this proceeded response and anticipated action. By stimulating teachers to talk about HIV/AIDS and the impacts it has on children, it is hoped that improved care and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS will result