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School enrolments hampered by AIDS and economic decline

    JOHANNESBURG
    Swaziland's schools will soon reopen but teachers are concerned that HIV/AIDS and a weakening economy could diminish the number of children enrolling for the 2004 academic year. In an interview with the UN news service Plusnews, Alexander Tsabedze, a headmaster in the northern Hhohho region, said: "The problem is school fees - and it's not a new one. What is measurably worse this year is the number of parents who are out of work, and the growing population of children without parents." Research shows that the impact of HIV/AIDS on poor households has compounded an already difficult situation. Lenhle Dube, a nurse with the International Red Cross, confirmed: "AIDS is taking away kids' parents. They are living with relatives, often grandparents, who can feed and perhaps clothe them, and put a sort of roof over their heads. But there is no available cash for school fees."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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