JAMAICA ON Tuesday received a US$200,000 ($12 million) grant to strengthen the Ministry of Education's programme to educate youngsters about HIV/AIDS.
The project was born out of the Ministry's recognition that it needed to fully partner with the Ministry of Health in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Minister of Education Maxine Henry-Wilson said this will enhance the Ministry's present programme as it will increase its coverage 'in range and depth' of the issues surrounding HIV/ AIDS.
The grant is being provided by the Government of Japan through its 'Funds-in-Trust for Human Resource Development', which is managed by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The financing agreement was signed by the Education Minister and UNESCO Regional Director for the Caribbean yesterday at the Ministry's office at Heroes Circle.
UNESCO's assistance will be provided in five parts. This includes establishing training programmes to educate and train new teachers and those currently in the system at the primary and secondary level; educating youth in school (primary level and up) as well as those out of school, and a literacy programme, which will include HIV/AIDS messages.
UNESCO has completed the development of three books to be used in the literacy programme that were piloted in the inner city by the St. Patrick's Foundation.
The books, which focus on violence, anxiety and HIV/AIDS and drug awareness, are to be handed over shortly to the Ministry, which then will distribute them to schools for use in the programme.
The Ministry said in a release that because of the investment, it "expects to be in a better position to plan and implement its response programme for the future and in so doing, contribute to the realisation of its education for all, commitment."
