Understanding HIV/AIDS education in a Ghanaian culture : the case of Akropong-Akwapim school for the blind

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explores how the Ghanaian adolescent pupils with visual impairment are educated about HIV/AIDS. A qualitative case study examination with in-depth interviews, conversation, focus groups and observations has been used in order to obtain the views of the informants and to understand their reality. The informants were adolescent pupils, parents, teachers and two information-rich informants from the School for the Blind and the Ghana Education Service. HIV/AIDS has been identified as one of the main challenges facing the educational sector in Ghana. Everybody seems to be at risk including adolescent pupils with visual impairment. Traditionally, these pupils face the problem of rejection by their parents due to stigma attached to disability. However the school as modern system accepts these pupils and educate them in the residential settings. The Akropong School for the Blind plays an important role in the education of the blind in Ghana. I have used some international theories on tradition, modernity and to demonstrate how the Ghanaian adolescent pupils with visual impairment are informed about HIV/AIDS. As a traditional system, the causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS are based mainly on traditional practices and superstitions. Ghanaian school system supports principles of modernity supports, in principle, the visually impaired to be educated about HIV/AIDS. Simultaneously, the government accepts ideas through traditional practitioners which are not possible in the new thinking. What is learnt in the school is at variance with what pertains at home. Findings from the study highlight the role of the home based on strong traditional beliefs and practices and the role of the school based on modernity. The Ghana Government, representing modernity does not include HIV/AIDS in the curriculum. and does not support pupils with visual impairment with Braille materials. The government is double-minded; recognizing traditional ideas and modern ideas. This is signalling a difficult situation. Thus, today the visually impaired and the government are both caught in-between tradition and modernity.