The Ugandan Initiative for TDMS and PIASCY (UNITY) is a three-year Task Order under the ABE-LINK IQC with the overarching goal of improving education in Uganda and preventing and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS amongst children (in primary schools) and youth (in Post Primary Education and Training). The UNITY Project takes into account the prevailing issues in the education system both at the central Ministry level and under the Decentralization system in Uganda and these issues are addressed by the four overarching objectives of the Project.

The project began on November 7, 2006 and has been extended for two years scheduled to end November 6, 2011. The majority of the project activities are a continuation of interventions initiated under Creative Associates' Basic Education Policy Support (BEPS) project, with the addition of new activities. Similar to the model used under BEPS, the UNITY Project is generally implemented through the decentralized Teacher Development Management System (TDMS) and the existing Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) structures and its Working Groups Modality. The infusion of the UNITY team's technical expertise with the use of Technical Assistance for specific activities has offered the best support to the various MoES departments and program interventions.

By utilizing the Ministry existing structures, sister institutions and venturing into inter-ministerial collaboration, the project aims to maximize the likelihood that its strategies and benefits will contribute to systems strengthening and ensure ownership and sustainability after USAID assistance terminates.

The USAID strategic objective that guides UNITY Project Implementation is to contribute to improved quality of basic education and expanded implementation of PIASCY program. The project has four broad objectives, which are to:

(i) Improve professional development of teachers and administrators at the primary level, both in pre-service and in-service;

(ii) Expand implementation of the Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to the Youth (PIASCY);

(iii) Increase parental and community participation in education; and,

(iv) Implement educational policy agenda.

One of the goals of UNITY/USAID Project is the expanded implementation of PIASCY. To be able to realize this goal, the project partners with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and District Local Governments in implementing a number of HIV/AIDS mitigation interventions. These interventions are generally targeted at accessing strategic information to the learners, especially the Students of Post Primary Education and Training Institutions and Primary School Pupils. The thrust of these interventions is providing education and information which is age appropriate to the target categories of learners. The education and information provision is aimed at increasing the HIV/AIDS literacy levels and awareness. The education and information is also expected to improve the knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and its prevention practices. The information and education will inturn help the learners to continuously practice positive behavior.

For the Financial Year 2010, UNITY Project plans to focus on the following activities:

(i) Reaching a total of 3,500,000 learners both primary and post primary education and training;

(ii) Training a total of 20,000 teachers; and,

(iii) Reaching a total number of 13,000 primary schools and post primary education and training institutions.

The Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to Youth (PIASCY) the main vehicle for reaching out to young people in schools, primary and post primary with age appropriate messages to empower them with knowledge and life skills that influence positive behaviors change and as a result help them stay safe from HIV and AIDS. Preventive education imparts skills and behaviors that protect and nurture children to grow into healthy and productive adults. Education is also critical to providing people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS knowledge, dignity and environment to live positive and fulfilling lives, free of stigma. For children to stay and remain free of HIV and AIDS, their knowledge of correct facts and information about causes and spread of the disease must result in the continuous practice of behaviors that prevent exposure to and the spread of HIV. In this respect, the aim of PIASCY program is to develop lasting behavior change on an ongoing basis. The systems include those places where children are exposed to different influences and actors that protect the child in a typical day in the life of a child. The school environment is a strategic place to reach and assist learners to develop skills, resourcefulness and mindsets that protect

UNITY project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports reaches learners both at Primary Schools and Post Primary Education and Training institutions (8-21 years) through provision of reading materials, training of teachers to equip them with skills to better handle the challenges faced in dealing with the effects of HIV and AIDS. Learners will also participate in various school based prevention activities. UNITY will develop national guidelines on school based interventions for teachers and head teachers to conduct school-based prevention activities. The guidelines will include practical recommendations for teachers to integrate HIV/AIDS messages into regular lessons and into other activities such as Music, Dance and Drama.

The program will be national covering all the primary schools and the communities that surround them.

The Primary sub-sector Learner-Led Activities include:

(i) School Level learner led- activities which include:

Learner-led assemblies with a focus on HIV and AIDS, under the supervision of teachers. A timetable will be drawn for the whole term clearly indicating the topics to be handled and agreed action points for follow up documented at every scheduled assembly.

Clubs that are led by learners with guidance from their teachers. Issues to be handled during the club activities will be arrived at according to the prevailing needs of each school regarding HIV and AIDS education.

Role plays and drama carrying messages focusing on Self Awareness, Stigma and Discrimination, disclosure, Basic facts about HIV and AIDS, STI's and TB as well as development of Life Skills.

Adequate avenues of communication on all issues concerning the children especially as regard to HIV and AIDS.

Visual AIDS showing of documentaries of proven research.

Quizzes and debates that are supervised by teachers focusing on Stigma and Discrimination.

(ii) Guidance and Counselling

Mapping of vulnerable learners in schools, in order to customize the appropriate Guidance and Counselling interventions

Guidance and Counselling spaces in schools with confidential records/documentation of counselling sessions held, number of pupils reached, home visits and referrals made.

Have corners where learners can come and see teachers at particular times these corners should have materials and visual aids that will facilitate communication and rapport between learners and teachers.

Facilitate talks with parent's and this should be done by class to avoid congestion

Consolidation of school-based good practices and introduction of "school families" to support collective group counselling.

(iii) Community Involvement

Strengthening of community involvement in HIV education using school activities e.g., sports, Music , Dance and Drama, and Open/Parent Days

Parent Talk Community Radio Program in Local Language STF Grant

The Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication to Youth (PIASCY) the main vehicle for reaching out to young people in schools, primary and post primary with age appropriate messages to empower them with knowledge and life skills that influence positive behaviors change and as a result help them stay safe from HIV and AIDS. Preventive education imparts skills and behaviors that protect and nurture children to grow into healthy and productive adults. Education is also critical to providing people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS knowledge, dignity and environment to live positive and fulfilling lives, free of stigma. For children to stay and remain free of HIV and AIDS, their knowledge of correct facts and information about causes and spread of the disease must result in the continuous practice of behaviors that prevent exposure to and the spread of HIV. In this respect, the aim of PIASCY program is to develop lasting behavior change on an ongoing basis. The systems include those places where children are exposed to different influences and actors that protect the child in a typical day in the life of a child. The school environment is a strategic place to reach and assist learners to develop skills, resourcefulness and mindsets that protect

UNITY project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports reaches learners both at Primary Schools and Post Primary Education and Training institutions (8-21 years) through provision of reading materials, training of teachers to equip them with skills to better handle the challenges faced in dealing with the effects of HIV and AIDS. Learners will also participate in various school based prevention activities. UNITY will develop national guidelines on school based interventions for teachers and head teachers to conduct school-based prevention activities. The guidelines will include practical recommendations for teachers to integrate HIV/AIDS messages into regular lessons and into other activities such as Music, Dance and Drama.

Post Primary Education and Training (PPET)

Under UNITY I PIASCY PPET was launched with distribution of manuals for learners and teachers and training of teachers in 39 out of the 80 districts in the country. UNITY II will focus on;

(i) Training

Complete and print the revised training sessions for PPET to include HIV counselling, Drug and Substance abuse and how to handle relationships. Complete the training and distribution of PPET Manuals for Central, Western and Busoga regions ( 41 districts)

(ii) Peer education

Integration of HIV education in all Club activities Inter-school competitions based on HIV and AIDS themes Buddy system that is learner driven and teacher guided Regular and programmed assemblies lead by students

(iii) Community Involvement

Open days that integrate facts and issues about HIV and AIDS PTA Meetings with resources persons to give talks about identified school needs as regard HIV and AIDS Education Quarterly Parents House Meetings , ensure that these include something on HIV and AIDS Sports Days to include messages on HIV and AIDS. Music, Drama, Dance Festivals