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Children in Africa and Asia have been let down by their HIV/AIDS curriculum, a recent study by UK-based charity, ActionAid found.
ActionAid says stigma, fear and embarrassment prevent open discussion about HIV in schools in these countries.
"It is vital that we understand whether teachers are responding to the challenges posed by the epidemic and how they teach HIV/AIDS in the syllabus," report author, Tania Boler, said in a statement.
The report says that 80 percent of African and Asian parents want their children to learn about HIV/AIDS at school, compared to less than five percent who disapprove.
The report claims that teachers strongly influenced by opposing parents have exercised a self-imposed veto on parts of the curriculum considered offensive to local beliefs.
"There is a fear among teachers, parents and religious leaders that educating young people about methods of safer sex will lead to sexual experimentation and promiscuity," Boler added.
Access the full report online at:
http://www.actionaid.org/resources/pdfs/soundofsilence.pdf
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
