In a context in which HIV and AIDS is affecting many lives around the globe, education has been described as the most effective 'social vaccine' against this pandemic. Getting every child into school seems to be essential to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS.

This brief is addressed to educational planners and managers, as well as other key decisions-makers in the field of education in countries highly affected by the AIDS epidemic, especially those of sub-Saharan Africa where the impact on education systems has been most severe.

122,000 teachers in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be living with HIV, most of who do not know their status. Stigma remains their greatest challenge.

It is estimated that there are currently around 122,000 teachers in sub- Saharan Africa who are living with HIV, the vast majority of whom have not sought testing and do not know their HIV status.

Main topics of this newsletter are: - Task Force Committee for Kenya Network of HIV Positive Teachers (KENEPOTE); - Achievements of KENEPOTE; - PLWHA Perspective at the International AIDS Conference Mexico (2008); - Challenges facing the orphaned Child in School.

Studies of the relationship between HIV/AIDS and children’s educational attainment largely focus on the direct impacts of parental illness and death, overlooking the potential indirect impact that parental knowledge and perceptions of their HIV status may have on children’s school enrollment.

Objective: To assess the evidence that the association between educational attainment and risk of HIV infection is changing over time in sub-Saharan Africa. Design and methods: Systematic review of published peer-reviewed articles.

Advocacy briefing note developed by the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on Education with the aim of assisting education professionals to advocate for issues related to education sector responses to HIV.

This Compendium has been developed in an effort to increase awareness of legal and moral responsibilities to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education.