Talks held for HIV kids' return to Kerala school
Jul 15, 2007 - 10:15:09 PM
|
|
|
The Kerala High Court has already issued notices to the administration and the PTA to present their views following a public interest litigation - filed by an NGO.
|
By IANS,
[RxPG] Kottayam -, July 15 - The Kerala government Sunday carried out an extensive campaign here to allay fears of some schoolchildren's parents who have opposed letting five HIV-positive children study at their school, even as a majority of the parents remained unconvinced.
Education Minister M.A. Baby, who led the eight-hour awareness campaign in the vicinity of the school, said they were expecting positive results.
'I will now take up with others what was discussed today and then we will decide on the matter. These things need not be spelt out at this press conference. When we take the final decision, the fears and apprehensions of those parents will also be taken into account,' Baby told reporters.
The HIV-positive students were not allowed to attend classes when the M.D.L.P School in Pampadi reopened last month as several parents threatened to withdraw their wards if the HIV affected children were allowed into the school.
The children are from Asha Kiran, an NGO formed under the Kottayam District Orphanage Association. It has now decided to send the children to school only after the government takes a decision on the matter.
In December last year, the school management had removed the five children under pressure from the parent teacher association -. They were, however, re-admitted following instructions from the state government.
The Orthodox Church, which runs the school, and Asha Kiran had appointed a five-member PTA committee to decide on the matter.
Of the five children, a boy studies in kindergarten, two girls are in Class 2 and two other girls in Class 4.
Baby had earlier said that the state government would ensure that the five children continued to study in the school even if all the other children were withdrawn.
Sunday's campaign team also included Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, under whose constituency this school comes, Kottayam Lok Sabha member Suresh Kurup, Kottayam legislator V.N. Vasavan, social commentator Sukumar Azhikode and B. Iqbal, a former vice chancellor of Kerala University.
The team held discussions with the concerned parents and locals at three places.
'A large number of people were present in the three meetings and the general opinion was that they are scared to send their children to the school if the five kids study there,' said a resident who attended the meeting but did not wish to be identified.
'Iqbal and Azhikode had long interactions with these people and have done their best to convince them that they have nothing to fear,' the resident added.
The Kerala High Court has already issued notices to the administration and the PTA to present their views following a public interest litigation - filed by an NGO.
Both the state and national human rights commissions have also issued notices to the school on this issue.
Advertise in this space for $10 per month.
Contact us today.
|
 |
Related India Healthcare News
|
|
Subscribe to India Healthcare Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Feedback
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
|
Top of Page
|
