Johannesburg — A new report by a state-appointed education assessment team suggests that Zimbabwean teachers are no more knowledgeable about HIV prevention than the general population.

Teachers were also at high risk of becoming HIV-positive, with one-third likely to be living with the HI virus.

Josiah Mhlanga, national commissioner for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Zimbabwe, told a gathering at the release of the findings in Mazowe District that most anti-AIDS campaigns were focused on pupils and placed little emphasis on teachers.

The local Herald newspaper quoted Mhlanga as saying, "There seemed to be an assumption that the teachers are so knowledgeable about HIV and its transmission that they are willing to talk about it with their students, and that all teachers will make acceptable counsellors and mentors."

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]