» Topic List
	1. Introduction
	2. General MoEYS Background
	3. HIV/AIDS related programs in operation
	4. Roles and responsibilities in relation to this program

1. Introduction » Up

UNDP will administer the program funds to be provided by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Department for International Development (DFID) to each of the executing agencies. UNDP policies, rules and guidelines will be applied in the management of funds and in the provision of services as specified in the program document and in the MOU.

2. General MoEYS Background » Up

The MoEYS is mandated by the elected Royal Government of Cambodia's (RGoC) to develop, manage and administer the national education sector. It is one of the four priority Ministries of the RGoC. The MoEYS's aim is to provide a comprehensive and sustainable education sector meeting the needs of: Cambodia's children and communities; and the peaceful, economic and social development of the nation.

The overarching policy and strategy framework of the MoEYS is outlined in the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2001-05, with operational and strategic priorities outlined in the rolling Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) 2002-2006. A primary policy for the MoEYS outlined in these documents is the achievement of 9 years of quality basic education for all Cambodia's children by 2010. The ESP and ESSP provide the medium term framework for the goals set out in the longer-term Education For All (EFA) National Plan. The ESP and ESSP also outline policies and programs in support of expanded access and quality across the education sector.

3. HIV/AIDS related programs in operation » Up

The MoEYS response to HIV/AIDS is directed by the Inter-Departmental Committee on HIV/AIDS (ICHA), which is responsible for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS issues across the MoEYS departments and within its programs. MoEYS has a Priority Action Program (PAP) dedicated to strengthening its response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This PAP covers an in-school and out-of school program implemented through the School Health Department (SHD) and Department of Youth (DoY) respectively.

SHD is delivering a rolling program of training peer educators in HIV/AIDS awareness in Upper secondary grades. The program for 2002 covers 5 provinces with further provinces being targeted in subsequent years. It follows a cascade training approach and is supported by the production and distribution of a teachers' manual, student handbook and posters.

DoY is delivering a rolling program of cascade training to reach out-of-school youth through intermediaries, closely engaged with youth, such as: commune councils, trade unions, NFE teachers, NGOs and CBOs, staff from other Ministries, youth and children councils. The planned program for 2002 is to cover 5 provinces with further provinces being targeted in subsequent years

4. Roles and responsibilities in relation to this program » Up

• The program will be managed and co-ordinated through a core team drawn from ICHA, and led by the Secretary of State, MoEYS.
• DGE is the institutional and financial management base for the program.
• In summary, the program components will consist of a number of elements:
• Support for mainstreaming HIV/AIDS awareness across the MoEYS, delivered through: Capacity building within SHD and DoY, including activity-based capacity building through supporting the implementation of a number of ICHA program activities. (complementary to on-going UNICEF and UNESCO support).
• A peer education program for higher grades in primary education (potentially incorporated through a broader health awareness or values/civics program.
• Small-scale support for investigating appropriate approaches for reaching out-of-school youth (including street children).
• Small-scale support for a monk-sensitisation program, specifically aimed at sensitising communities to the need to provide HIV/AIDS awareness programs within primary schools

The mainstreaming program focuses on institutional and departmental capacity strengthening activities in the ICHA and implementing Departments, particularly School Health Department.

Sample sentinel surveys of students' perceptions of HIV/AIDS, general health issues and values will be conducted annually by the SHD. A baseline study will be developed and conducted by December 2003. Analysis of these studies will provide the platform for assessing overall impact of the program and future policy and planning approaches

The Primary Peer Education Program will be delivered nationally to all upper grades (4-6) in all 6,000 primary schools. The program will cover HIV/AIDS, basic health issues and civics/values education. It will be planned, managed and monitored by the SHD. Implementation will be introduced in a phased manner through contracting this activity out to NGOs experienced in this field.

The monk sensitisation Program will be delivered nationally to up to 3,000 monks/pagodas. Its key purpose is to reduce parental and community concerns about the primary HIV/AIDS awareness program by enlisting the support of respected community religious leaders. As for the primary peer education program, it will be planned, managed and monitored by the SHD. Implementation will be introduced in a phased manner through contracting out to NGOs experienced in this field.

The action research portfolio will concentrate on investigating ways of providing HIV/AIDS awareness to out-of school youth and students in non-formal education. Its purpose is to inform future policy and strategy development. It will operate through providing small scale funding for action/operational research activities.