In areas highly affected by AIDS, the epidemic

Target groups
In areas highly affected by AIDS, the epidemic
is increasing the scale of existing systemic and
management problems in education. While education
systems have always had problems of supply,
demand, quality and output, HIV and AIDS magnify
these problems and increase their scale.11 All levels
of the education system have to respond to the
changing needs of learners, educators and education
personnel, including management.
Access to education for all children, particularly the
poorest and most marginalised, is essential to ensure
that schools play an effective role in HIV prevention andHIV & AIDS impact mitigation. The IATT on Education
strives to ensure that particular efforts are undertaken
to assist the increasing number of children affected
by HIV and AIDS, including orphaned and vulnerable
children, and children who are at risk (including those
from food-insecure households and those in confl ict
situations). Priority is also given to ensuring that elderly
people – who are increasingly becoming caregivers for
their grandchildren and extended family – are given
due attention.
Special attention also needs to be given to the
increasing feminisation of the epidemic in certain
regions and to how poverty potentially puts young
women at higher risk of HIV infection. It is therefore
essential to support gender-responsive strategies, as
well as gender-targeted interventions – addressing
both women and men and girls and boys, and giving
prominent attention to SRHR.