The impact of HIV/AIDS on primary education in Botswana: educating children as agents of change

HIV/AIDS can no longer be regarded solely as a public health issue as its impact extends well into all spheres of life, sectors of society and levels of the education system. This paper argues that not only is it paramount to draw on children's understanding of the impact of AIDS on their lives, but it is equally important to draw on their solutions in order to foster their agency. Using the ‘draw and write’ methods, this research explores children's perception of the impact of HIV/AIDS and their understanding of the capabilities needed in order for them to become active change agents. The findings indicate that short-term intervention programmes are insufficient in curbing the HIV trends and in mitigating its impact. The authors argue that there is now a paramount need to re-evaluate the role and goal of education to allow it to serve as a prophylaxis for HIV/AIDS.