Breaking the silence on HIV/AIDS in the school: the role of the school governing body in managing disclosure

This article is based on research in Mpumalanga province of South Africa, on the response of school governing bodies to legislation and policy on HIV/AIDS and education. The research was conducted through the medium of a case study, but constructed hypothetically, on critical incidents of HIV/AIDS in the school context. School governing body members were asked to respond to each case in terms of the actions they would take, should such an event occur in their schools. Using focus group interviews with selected members of the school governing bodies, this research clarifies the levels of understanding of HIV/AIDS legislation and the likely practices in South African schools as a result of such understanding. The findings amplify the distance between policy and practice and the need for vigilance with respect to legal challenges that schools might face without adequate knowledge and information on the pandemic. Key words: HIV/AIDS, disclosure, school governing body, human rights, sick role, labour relations Journal of Social Development in Africa Vol.20(1) 2005: 128-146