The attempt by the Eastern Cape Education department to ensure learners participate in addressing social ills they face in school, will see 700 Grade 10& 11 learners across the province converging at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth on Friday the 07th July 2017at 14:00 pm attending the 13th Annual HIV & AIDS Youth Conference.

These social ills to be dealt with during the conference directly affect the learner performance. Additionally, these contribute strongly to the high drop-out rate, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse as well as the high rate of deaths during circumcision. Furthermore, during this conference these youngsters will also map out practical solutions on all issue relating to school safety as it severely affects mostly urban and peri-urban areas.

Attending learners will be coming from all the departmental districts including 46 Youth Support Agent Supervisors who are currently assisting learners in coping with social issues that are affecting them in schools. Details of the conference are as follows:

Venue: Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University- NMMU)

Date: 07 July 2017 (Friday)

Time: 14H00 (pm)