HIV/AIDS And Science Education In Namibian Secondary Schools

ABSTRACT

Previous studies alluded to the impacts of HIV/AIDS on education in Namibia. While such studies implied that secondary school science education was under the threat of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), there was a paucity of disaggregated and empirical data that spoke to the specific linkages between HIV/AIDS and secondary school science education. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the HIV/AIDS impacts, risk factors, and knowledge gaps among secondary school science teachers and learners in Namibia. The study also analysed the pedagogical and ecological factors related to HIV/AIDS education in Namibian secondary schools. A quantitative research approach was mainly utilised in this cross-sectional survey of science teachers and learners. Using a three-stage cluster sample design, eighteen secondary schools from six education regions were randomly selected. Life Science/Biology learners and teachers formed the tertiary sampling units. Separate questionnaires were completed by 829 learners and 61 teachers, respectively. Data were analysed using non-parametric and parametric statistics.