Since independence, Botswana has made great strides in economic and human development. In education, almost 100% of children now enrol in primary school, over 90% start secondary school and girls have enrollment rates similar to those of boys. However, Botswana's HIV epidemic is one of the world's most severe. The 2000 national antenatal survey of pregnant women found that 38.5% were HIV-positive and it is estimated that around one third of the adult population is infected. This presents a major challenge to further development and improvement in the accessibility and quality of education. The HIV/AIDS impact assessment commissioned by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and UNDP has explored implications for the education sector. This study looks at how HIV/AIDS affects the needs to be met by the education system and how will HIV/AIDS affect capacity to deliver education.