Abstract

Reception and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) children in school investigated the extent to which children living with HIV/AIDS are accepted and treated in school. Such investigation was based on various research findings of these children indicating resistance to their attending the same schools with HIV/AIDS free children, constituting the majority of enrolments. A quantitative method in the form of descriptive statistics consisting of frequency, percentage, chi-square and probability was employed in the analyses of data. The sample was based on a diverse population drawn from universities in America, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. The results showed a good knowledge of HIV/AIDS on the part of the respondents, as it ranged from 64 to 72%. In terms of the chi-square, the results were statistically significant for all the participating institutions of higher learning. The respondents expressed the view that HIV/AIDS children should attend school together with HIV/AIDS free children. It was concluded that, though the results were gratifying in favour of school children living with HIV/AIDS, there was a considerable number of respondents who were opposed to this view; thus calling for their further exposure to public education on HIV/AIDS.

Key words: Admission, erosion of self-esteem, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) policy, hostile environment, parents’ concern, policy implementation, school attendance.