Aids policy
INTRODUCTION
• All educators, pupils and parents of this school undertake to uphold and support our school’s Aids Policy.
POLICY REGARDING EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE
• There will be no discrimination against any learner or educator who is HIV positive.
• Educators and learners who are HIV positive will be treated fairly and humanely.
• Special circumstances required by a learner or educator who is HIV positive will be accommodated by this school to the best of our ability.
AIDS TESTING OF LEARNERS
• No learner may be denied access to this school on the grounds that he/she is HIV positive.
• No learner may first be tested for HIV before access to the school is granted.
• No learner may be denied access to any academic, sporting of cultural participation because he/she is HIV positive.
• No learner may be tested for HIV as part of the school programme.
AIDS TESTING OF EDCUATORS AND NON EDUCATORS
• No educator’s application may be turned down because he/she is HIV positive.
• No educator or non-educator may be asked to leave or terminate his/her contract with the school due to the fact that they are HIV positive.
This policy document is not discriminatory in any way. It respects the rights of all individuals and takes into account all persons, including those with HIV/Aids.
• No educator or non- educator may be discriminated against because they are HIV positive.
• No educator or non- educator may be asked to undergo testing for HIV as a school requirement.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OF LEARNERS WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE
• This school will accommodate learners who are HIV positive as far as practically possible.
• Learners who are HIV positive will attend all academic activities at this school for as long as the learner can do so effectively.
• Learners who cannot function effectively academically due to the progression of the HIV or illnesses relating to HIVmay request to be exempt from school.
• The principal must be supplied with a recent medical certificate if a learner is leaving the school due to HIV related illnesses.
• The parents/guardian of the learner leaving school due to HIV related illnesses must inform the principal in writing of this intention.
MAKING HIV/AIDS STATUS PUBLIC
• No learner or parents of learners can be compelled to disclose that they are HIV positive.
• No educator can be compelled to disclose that he/she is HIV positive.
SPORT/ACTIVITIES
• No learner with an open wound is permitted to take part in any form of contact sport until the wound has healed.
• Any learner who suffers a bleeding injury during a contact session or sport activity must be attended to immediately. The wound must be bandaged effectively before the learner may continue participating in the sport or activity.
• No learner may play in blood soaked clothing.
• Learners who are HIV positive may participate in any sport provided that a medical report is received stating so.
EDUCATION
• All learners in the school will receive Aids/Awareness Education.
• The content will be adapted according to the age of the learner.
• Parents of learners must be informed as to the content of the Aids/Awareness Education programme.
• All non- educators must also receive Aids/Awareness education at the school.
• Educators must attend relevant seminars to learn and understand the terminology needed to effectively educate the learners.
VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE
• If any educator voluntarily wishes to disclose the fact that they are HIV positive they are permitted to do so only to the principal. The principal must at all times keep this information strictly confidential.
• Should the principal wish to discuss the HIV/Aids of a learner with the relevant educator he/she must obtain written permission from the learner’s parents.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• The parents of learners who have open wounds, open blisters or lesions are responsible for covering these areas with a waterproof bandage.
• If this cannot be done by the parents the school will assume the responsibility of covering areas with waterproof bandages.
• Educators who are treating learners must wear surgical gloves at all times.
• Any surface that has been contaminated by blood must be cleaned and sterilized with a strong Jik solution.
• Personnel who are cleaning these areas must also be given surgical gloves to wear.
• Instruments used during the treatment of a learner/educator or non- educator must be disinfected immediately.
• Any cloth or material used in the cleaning up of contaminated areas must be incinerated immediately.
• Toilet paper and cotton wool contaminated with blood must be flushed down the toilet after usage.
• Every classroom must have a set of surgical gloves and sterile cotton wool within easy access of the educator and his/her learners.
• Educators must take a fully stocked first aid kit with them on any outing, camp or sporting fixture.