TEACHERS NEED TO GO FOR VCT-SETLOLELA
	The AIDS Councilor in the Ministry of Education and Training, Mrs. ‘Mampiti Setlolela says there is need for teachers to go for voluntary testing and counseling (VCT). Addressing the participants at a three-day workshop on counseling held at the Catholic Training Center (CTC), Mrs. Setlolela said if teachers go for HIV counseling and testing they will be in a position to encourage communities to know their HIV/AIDS status. She said it is her ministry and teachers' responsibility to ensure that the number of orphans in the country does not increase any further, saying this could be done by showing the communities the importance of knowing one's HIV/AIDS status, so that those who are positive receive treatment, while those found negative shall maintain their status. Mrs. Setlolela said that knowing one's HIV/AIDS status at an early stage is important as it gives one an opportunity to access treatment which when properly taken could help one live longer hence the need for people to test for HIV and AIDS. She said it is high time that teachers as leaders, break the silence in their respective schools and villages, and commit their communities to fight the stigma and discrimination attached to people living with HIV/AIDS. Speaking at the occasion, some of the participants said their greatest fear in knowing their HIV/AIDS status is prompted by the level of discrimination inflicted on those who test positive as well as their families. Participants therefore appealed to the ministry to continue to hold similar workshops for teachers as such workshops serve as a motivation to them and consequently promotes their participation in the fight against the pandemic. This was the first workshop of its kind to be held for teachers in the district.
	Source: LENA