Teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions on the effects of hiv/aids on the teaching and learning in public primary schools

This study aimed at exploring teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions on the effects of HIV/AIDS on the teaching and learning in public primary schools in Moshi rural district. Three research objectives guided the study: First, to identify what teachers and pupils perceive as effects of HIV/AIDS on the teaching and learning in schools. Secondly, to determine the extent to which teachers and pupils cope with the perceived effects of HIV/AIDS on the teaching and learning in primary schools and to determine the extent to which the perceived effects affect the teaching and learning of HIV/AIDS topics in the classroom. The study was conducted in six public primary schools with a sample of 102 respondents. The sample of the study obtained through purposive, stratified and simple random techniques in the categories of six head teachers, 30 teachers, six guidance and counselor teachers and 60 pupils. The study used a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings revealed that teachers and pupils perceived HIV/AIDS to have negative effects on teaching and learning in their schools, particularly on pupils’ enrolment, attendance, classroom participation. HIV/AIDS was also perceived as the main cause of dropping out and stigmatization among teachers and pupils. It was also found out that school management utilized several strategies to minimize the effects of HIV/AIDS including a combination of classes or assigning a class to other teacher incases of teacher absenteeism. The study recommends that the government should make sure that both teachers and pupils in primary school are equipped with knowledge of HIV/AIDS in order to overcome the chronic problems like absenteeism, poor attendance, stigmatization and pupils’ dropout. Teachers in primary schools should be trained on how to deal with pupils and teachers who are affected by HIV/AIDS problem to be able to minimize it.