LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE TO ENRICH THE HIV/AIDS EDUCATION FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

This research determined the degree of leadership initiative of the 376 senior high school students from Laguna Philippines Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) to enrich their HIV/AIDS education. Results showed that the students have high levels of knowledge and awareness on HIV/AIDS and its effects on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. They have a high status of opportunities in terms of their current senior high school curriculum vis-à-vis HIV/AIDS education; which means that the students have a high degree of becoming leaders on their own accord; especially if the local colleges and universities coordinate and collaborate with each other. Health Education on HIV/AIDS was a joint effort of these collaborations that educated the senior high school students accurately and completely about HIV/AIDS. Results also showed that the students have a high status of challenges and weaknesses, and low status of strengths for their current senior high school curriculum vis-à-vis HIV/AIDS education. Thus, it was recommended that they must become more conscious on what level do they understand/know about HIV /AIDS; be transformed in terms of their attributes in becoming leaders advocating about HIV/AIDS for every young person in every community.