The terms of reference (TOR) calling for the development of a relief teacher strategy to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS in the education sector indicate that “Namibia’s teachers are at a relatively high risk of HIV infection. Projections suggest that in 2002, around one in seven (teachers) were HIV-infected (Abt Report, 2002, p.vi). The report further indicates that teacher losses averaged 1.5% between 2000 and 2002, with higher rates (2%) reported in the country’s northern parts. The impact on delivery of quality teaching has also been adversely affected.” The Education & Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) makes provision for the establishment of a relief teacher strategy to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on the system. A costed strategy is therefore required to assist the Ministry of Education, within the framework of ETSIP, to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on teacher absenteeism, and its resultant adverse consequences on the quality of teaching and learning. The design of such a strategy necessitates conducting a thorough desk review, to be followed by an assessment at regional, circuit, cluster and school level. The EduSector AIDS Response Trust (ESART) has been requested to work with the Ministry of Education to develop this relief teacher strategy. The purpose of this report is to document the findings of a desk review undertaken by ESART, in which all available documents and data have been reviewed and considered.