School Interventions in Response to Educational Needs of HIV/Aids Orphans: A Case Study of Thika Municipality Public Primary Schools.

Abstract

The education sector in Kenya has not been spared the scourge of HIV/AIDS. It has rendered schooling orphaned children most vulnerable by affecting learning, enrolment, participation, retention and completion. This study determined interventions undertaken in response to educational needs of HIV/AIDS orphans in Thika Municipality Public Primary Schools. The design was descriptive and data were collected from the 24 public primary schools using questionnaires. Purposive sampling technique included 24 Headteachers and 20 teachers. The major health problems were infections and sexual abuse. Headteachers’ responses varied and included feeding programmes, looking for donors for proceeding to secondary schools and placement in children homes. Strong school community partnerships were essential in responding to the educational needs. The government needs to strengthen capacities of schools to provide at least one meal per day and school health programmes to address health issues.