Workplace policies in public education: a review focusing on HIV/AIDS

OUTPUT TYPE: Monograph (Book)
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2005
TITLE AUTHOR(S): L.C.Simbayi, D.Skinner, L.Letlape, K.Zuma
KEYWORDS: EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL, EDUCATIONAL POLICY, HIV/AIDS, WORKING CONDITIONS
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Web link: https://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/books/workplace-policies-in-public-education
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 3354
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/7402
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/7402

If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.

Abstract

Policy governs many aspects of the professional lives of educators. It is also central to their and the sector's response to crises such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As such policy can contribute directly to curtailing the attrition of educators, by encouraging and providing protection against threats such as HIV/AIDS, and by creating a positive and supportive working environment. This study examines workplace and HIV/AIDS policies from the Department of Education (DoE) and the HIV/AIDS policies of two trade unions, as part of a broader study looking at the attrition of educators. The policies themselves were found to be well written and if implemented, would create a good environment for educators. A number of successes were noted, particularly in terms of the transformation of education structures. The findings suggest that problems are centered on a lack of policy implementation, resulting from disjunctures between the national office and provincial and district offices, as well as a lack of resources and inadequate planning and preparation for implementation.