The Ministry of Education is reviewing its national HIV/AIDS policy for schools as new data shows students need more than awareness to tackle HIV, drug use and stigma.

Assistant Minister for Education Iliesa Vanawalu made the announcement while launching the Na Bula E Dua Baseline Survey Report by Medical Services Pacific.

“The increasing number of HIV cases in our country requires all of us to examine whether we are doing enough, whether we are reaching our young people early enough,” he said.

“The fact that HIV is also affecting young people of school age must concern all of us.”

The year old ‘Na Bula E Dua Empowering Students with HIV and Drug Use Information Project’ reached more than 1600 students across six schools in the Central and Western divisions.

Mr Vanawalu said the baseline survey was valuable because “it listened” to students, teachers, and parents instead of telling them what adults thought they needed to know.

He stressed that prevention must be “age-appropriate, evidence-based and sustained throughout a student’s educational journey”.

“We need to reach them before misinformation does. We need to reach them before drugs do. We need to reach them before peer pressure does. And we need to reach them before stigma prevents them from seeking support.”

The Assistant Minister said the policy review would focus on the right to education, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and support for students. He called for “clarity at school level” so teachers know their responsibilities, students know where to seek help, and referral pathways are clear.