Pumula High School wins HIV and Aids High-schools quiz competition

PUMULA High School has won the Bulawayo provincial HIV and Aids High-schools quiz competition.
The school will represent the City of Kings at national level next term. The competitions are organised by the National Aids Council (NAC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture to increase knowledge about the disease and how it can be prevented among pupils.
Speaking during the competitions at the Large City Hall, NAC board member Mr Obert Sibanda said a lot needs to be done to empower the youth in HIV and Aids related issues, as they were the most vulnerable.
"Statistics show that in Zimbabwe, one in four children is orphaned due to HIV and Aids. Figures also show those children whose parents die because of the pandemic have 90 percent chances of getting infected because of different factors against them.
"These forces include abuse, child prostitution and lack of parental guidance among others. All these make them more vulnerable and they need programmes like these to enhance their education on HIV and Aids," said Mr Sibanda.
He said HIV remained the leading cause of deaths among those aged between 15 and 49.
"The school going youths also need to learn about HIV and Aids because they have a low personal risk perception. It is therefore essential to educate the young ones about such issues and as they engage in competitions, they improve and learn from each other", said Mr Sibanda.
Bulawayo provincial Aids coordinator Mrs Sinatra Nyathi urged all schools to participate in the competition so that they rise and build the nation.
"The competitions are a way of disseminating information to schools as they impart life skills, so pupils can make informed decisions in their lives.
"Through this programme pupils also learn about reproductive health, assertiveness and self esteem, which is important," said Mrs Nyathi.
The patron for Pumula High Aids action club, Mr Munyaradzi Masawi, said he was happy his team made it to the national competition.
"We are very delighted because our school was the first winner of the competition. Our competitors are only in Form Four and they managed to beat A-Level pupils from other schools. We promise to keep the Bulawayo flag flying high when we go to Harare," said Mr Masawi.
Five schools, Luveve High from Reigate District, Eastview High from Imbizo, Montrose Girl's High from Bulawayo Central and Mandwandwe High School from Mzilikazi District participated in the competition.
Dates for the national finals are yet to be announced.