New Delhi: The Kerala High Court has issued a notice to the Mar Dionysius Primary School in Pampady that has kept five HIV positive children away from school since December.
The school was unable to disregard parents of other children who objected to these Class 2 and 3 children mingling with their own. The High Court has also issued a notice to the school's Parent Teacher Association.
The National Human Rights Commission too has stepped in and asked for a report from the Kerala government within three days.
On Tuesday, the NGO Asha Kiran, which is looking after the children, decided against sending them to the school again. The NGO says it doesn't want the children to suffer the trauma of discrimination.
For the school, it's still a Catch 22 situation. While teachers say they have no problem in having the five children back, parents of other students are adamant they won't let their children mingle with HIV positive children.
On Tuesday, the school's attendance fell almost 50 per cent.
For the parents of Pampady, it's absolute fear thats forcing them to take such a stand. And any extent of convincing might just not be able to allay their fears.
However, perhaps what's required more is a drastic change in education policy towards such children. Otherwise for the five HIV positive children, it will always be a dream lost forever.
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