CITIZENS Alliance Deputy Leader, Bindra Maharaj, has called for a renewed "emphasis and vigour" in building a national education programme as a key element in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Maharaj said that there must be a very clear understanding of the demographics and compositions of different communities and their needs in order to mount an effective campaign against the spread of the disease and discrimination against patients.

"HIV/AIDS has reached pandemic proportions. The number of people infected in the world now amounts to 35 times the population of Trinidad and Tobago. And the number of children infected amounts to twice our population."

"Education really must be the focus for all development - social, economic and political. It is out of a clear understanding of the issues affecting development that the people will understand their stake in development," Maharaj said.

"Education is in fact the most important tool in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS and the level of discrimination of patients. I am not talking about television and newspaper advertisements. I am talking about real financial and technical assistance for NGOs and Community Organisations that know the needs of the communities they represent."

Maharaj said that the success of any education programme, "be it institutional or public" is decided by the level of understanding of the people you are targeting. "For instance, one cannot go with extensive technical jargon to communities where illiteracy rates are high."

Advocating a student HIV/AIDS education programme, Maharaj called for all stakeholders including medical practitioners, teachers, businessmen, NGO leaders and politicians to come together to revisit programmes with a view to coming up with a strong and powerful message for students.

"Many students have limited knowledge of the extent and destructive nature of the virus. They need to be the subject of practical programmes that are properly funded and managed so that the messages they receive are clear and create an understanding of the disease."

"Students also need to understand the cause and effects of discrimination, they need to understand how the disease is transmitted, they need to understand that they have the power to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Education is where prevention starts.

The CA deputy, while in support of the Government's "seeming commitment" warned against allowing $500 million to fund administrative bureaucracy. "The amount the Government has committed must be very carefully spent and must be aimed at the communities through active NGOs and CBOs. Forget the bureaucracy, education has to start now."

CITIZENS ALLIANCE - Together for a more progressive Trinidad and Tobago