According to National AIDS Control Organisation report 2005, there are 111,608 AIDS cases, of whom 32,567 are women, 37 per cent of reported cases were diagnosed to be under 30 years of age. Many AIDS cases go unreported too. World Health Organisation (WHO) report 2006 provides an estimate of 5.7 million HIV affected cases in India and that approximately 1 million children are likely to be affected by AIDS.

The southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Manipur have higher prevalence of AIDS. Since HIV is associated with social stigma, the children are the main sufferers whether they or their parents are affected. Many such children find it difficult to study in regular schools.

Problem of children orphaned due to HIV and AIDS posses yet another challenge. United Nations Population Division has projected adult HIV prevalence at peak of 1.9 per cent in 2019 in India Over 35 per cent of all reported AIDS cases in India fall in the age group of 15-24 years.

This group becomes vulnerable and requires proper understanding, support and guidance to deal with matter pertaining to sex and sexuality. It necessitates curricular interventions about sexual development during adolescence, reproductive and sexual health, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

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While this subject would be deal with by all teachers, as no special teachers will be made available, it becomes important to empower teachers through pre-service and in- service teacher training so that proper justice is done with the subject and societal aberrations are checked.

The following are the main considerations, which highlight the need and importance of training teachers in adolescent and family health :

1. Teachers need to provide biological information about reproductive system focusing on physiological, psychological and socio-cultural dimensions of Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) in a holistic manner. The training component has to be effective in inculcating relevant competencies among all teachers. ‘

2. Teacher training school develop competence among teachers are equipped to impart authentic knowledge to students regarding the process of growing up, HIV/AIDS and substance (drug) abuse that might lead to behavioural and attitudinal changes with proper value orientation among students besides, developing needed life skills in them.