The Government of Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with UNICEF, is launching a massive initiative to enlighten and educate young people on HIV/AIDS. The programme is aimed at providing information about sexual health, the ills of irresponsible sexual behaviour and the dangers of contracting AIDS, according to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The programme would cover 11,464 schools and over a million students in Std. IX and X. Education about AIDS is part of the “ Learning for Life” initiative of UNICEF, AP State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) and the School Education Department.

In a message on the occasion of the Andhra Pradesh Formation Day on November 1, Naidu said, “ Our children are the future of the state, of the country. It is very necessary for these children to be brought up in a healthy atmosphere. An environment that informs and educate them on every aspect of growing up and being responsible citizens.

“Today I come to you with a message about the need to inform and educate our children, specifically about matters relating to sex. Because today we face the threat of HIV/AIDS infecting a large segment of our youth. More than half of the newly infected with HIV are between 15 and 24 years. This is a matter of great concern.”

Of great significance was the participation of teachers, parents and community leaders, he said, adding, “ All of us have to understand the need to educate and inform children. We need to understand and accept our responsibility to impart the required knowledge and skills for the young to protect themselves.”

“Our children have the right to know, have the right to be informed, so that they make the right choice. Our attitude towards this subject has to become progressive. We have to initiate the change. We have to make a new beginning,” the statement added.

AIDS education in the schools has already started with CHAI, one of the nodal NGOs, in association with APSACS conducting the first training programme for teachers and students from 96 schools in the twin cities from October 28 to 31. CHAI's training programme would cover 810 schools in 9 districts of the state.