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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Small States assert central role of education in tackling HIV/AIDS

2 September 2004

Education Ministers of Commonwealth Small States met today in Stoke Rochford, UK to consider the impact of HIV/AIDS in their countries and the role of education in tackling the pandemic.

They underlined the need for a clear role for education within all national, regional and global strategies to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. Ministers committed to a heightened role for education within a concerted response to the pandemic, which is threatening the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals for education.

They noted that Commonwealth Small States are particularly vulnerable to the loss of skilled human resources, through ill health and death caused by HIV/AIDS. Transient populations and tourism, so vital to many of these economies, were factors in the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox said, "The impact of HIV/AIDS on our most vulnerable members is threatening the efforts of many of them to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for education and it is timely that we address this issue and look for ways to deal with the problem."

Ministers acknowledged the need for mechanisms to help both teachers and students who are affected by HIV/AIDS to continue teaching and studying.

They reaffirmed the existing Commonwealth commitment 'to include compulsory age-appropriate HIV/AIDS education in the curriculum of every education system within the Commonwealth, including teacher education'. Ministers said they would ensure that all future education sector plans and policies take full account of the impact of the epidemic.

Note to Editors

The full text of the 'Stoke Rochford Statement on HIV/AIDS and Education' is available here

Commonwealth Heads of Government in their Aso Rock Declaration on Development and Democracy in December 2003 noted that 'strong political leadership and education remain crucial components of the multi-sectoral response to combating HIV/AIDS'.

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