Bangalore, Dec 19: With the admission season knocking at the door, schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have been told to accommodate children who are themselves HIV+ or belongs to HIV+ families and ensure they are not victimised.
In most cases, it was the reluctance of other parents which prevented schools from admitting HIV+ children.
The circular stated, “When school authorities or NGOs made an effort to admit HIV infected or affected children into regular schools, parents objected and even withdrew their children from the schools on the grounds that HIV+ children would infect their children.”
The board warns that reluctance on the part of schools to admit HIV+ students violates the constitutional rights of children. The circular places the responsibility squarely on the school management, to protect the rights of such children and treat them fairly.
“City schools are very understanding and will not deny admission to any deserving candidate. Schools may be selective, but won’t turn away a student on those grounds (of being HIV+ or whose parents are HIV+). A lot depends on parents, if they co-operate we can do more.
Denying admission will only traumatise students further,” said M Srinivasan, principal of GEAR school and chairperson, the Sahodaya Schools Complex, an association of CBSE (private) schools in the state. There are nearly 80 member schools in the complex.
As part of the Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) conducted in schools, the board wants to provide students with information pertaining to to HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.
–Agencies