Schools exclusively for HIV infected students.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Chief Minister of Kerala has declared it is going to support an school

exclusively for HIV infected students.

I think this should be discussed. I would like hear the views of the readers of

this FORUM.

Ajith

e-mail: <trc_ajisudha@...>

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note: Dr Ajith's posting on " Chief Minister of Kerala's declaration

to support an school exclusively for HIV infected students has attracted active

response form the subscribers of this FORUM]

Re: Schools exclusively for HIV infected students.

1.Malay Dewanji

2.Sunil

3.Chitra Pathak

4. Mallika Jalan

5. Tewodros woldemariam teketel "

6. ph Sebastian

7. Ashok Row Kavi

8. Deepak

9. Maya Ganesh

10. Mendes

11.Rajesh Gopal

12.Firdous a wani

13.Stobdan

14.Indira varadarajan

15.Dr.B.K.Sharma,

16.Rajan Gupta

17.Shalina Mehta

_______________________

We, the members of the Liberal Association for Movement of People

and Its associated bodies are of the opinion that it is not wise to

start a Separate school exclusively for the HIV/AIDS infected students, because

such action would lead to a separatist situation and encourage an untouchable

attitude in the minds of general students.

Thus this action by Kerala Government is a negative action for the education of

the HIV/AIDS infected students and therefore, it must

be stopped immediately.

With all best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Malay Dewanji

Hony. General Secretary, LAMP

Website: www.lamp-ngo-india.org

e-MAIL: <dishari@...>

_________________

Why should HIV positive children need a special school?

Today even physically challenged children are being integrated into

normal schools. While it can be argued that this be an acceptable

idea for a short term in order to prevent children who are refused

admission because of their HIV status, such a move will only add to

the perception among a considerable number of people that there is

something seriously wrong with these children and that they are a

threat to other children.

I hope the Honorable Chief Minister desists from implementing any

such move.

Sunil

Peoples Health Movement

e-MAIL: <sunilcssr@...>

________________________

This is not a good idea as it would further lead to the isolation of

HIV infected people.

Why they can not have the right to education along with other

uninfected people? Isn't a strategy supporting the discriminating

practices? For me this is like state sponsored discrimination which

is against the fundamental rights of any individual in this country.

And for a government doing so, nothing could be worse than that.

regards

Chitra Pathak

e-MAIL: puranijeans@...

__________________

I would think that this move by the Kerala CM should be stopped instantly. The

need today is to mainstream and not to segregate, isolate and stigmatize.

Mallika

e-MAIL: <mallika_jalan@...>

____________________

This strategy makes the school attendants more vulnerable to stigmatization and

is in fact implies that HIV positive students are

risk for the HIV uninfected and should be living away from non

infected. This is one of the worst management plans. The next plan

we might hear can be as well a village exclusively for HIV positives!

Tewodros Wldemariam Tketel

E-mail: a@...>

_____________________________

This is a both a welcome sign and at the same time not so positive

too..

Welcome because there is concern at the top level of the state.

(Just hoping that this perculates to all levels of the govt.) With

regard to children affected or infected by HIV they are those who

are going to be the worst hit, when you take in to consideration

the psychological trauma they have to go thru. hence its a positive

dimension that the chief Minister is taking note and trying to get

something going for such kids.

Now for the down side., It would be like having asylums for HIV

+ ves even though its just for education. So we may end up having a

parallel system for HIVs. Where then is the dimension of

mainstreaming and inclusiveness. Cant we try to bring out and give

publicity thru the media about success stories, where people in

general and children in particular who are affected or infected with

HIV are integrated into the society. The stories can be from all the

world over. I do understand that the going will be tough, but the

idea of having separate schools will only make it tougher and

longer..

Regards

ph Sebastian, MSW PhD

School of Social Work, n College

Kuttikkanam, Kerala, India.

E-mail: <jose_1723@...>

__________________

I've never heard anything more ridiculous in my life.

Isn't this the same as HIV/AIDS wards in hospitals? Isn't it another

way of deepening both stigma and discrimination? I just don't

understand why HIV cannot be handled in the same way as TB and

juvenile diabetes. Neither has ever meant separate schools or other

facilities.

There is nothing to " discuss " here. We have to oppose it with our

entire mite -- HIV positive kids need to sit with others and not

made to feel unwanted or unworthy of the education that others

receive. And in no way are they " disabled " either physically or

mentally. So why separate schools?

Ashok Row Kavi

E-mail: <arowkavi@...>

_____________________

I have a feeling that this kind of an effort would only alienate them more from

the mainstream and not do any good to them. These are ways by which we can only

aggravate the levels of discrimination that are existent and are already quite

high in the society.

I think that all governments need to have the inner courage to fight with those

elements who are trying to promote discrimination and not become a part of it.

These issues are much beyond the strategies governments adopt to save their face

just to please a very narrow minded segment which is not open to change and this

segment comprises fo the majority. They are so huge in number that if the

government even dares to do somehing with an open mind, this segment tends to

create a threat to the government's existence.

Therefore, the governments policy decisions are extremely biased and are meant

to please this segment.

I hope I am not being too judgemental or harsh.

Regards.

Deepak

E-mail: <deepakdavid2002@...>

________________________

How unfortunate that yet again politicians take the path of least

resistance! This is so typical - when we see something that we dont

like or that challenges the social order - we decide to ban it or

shove it underground hoping it will go away.

This move by the Kerala Chief Minister, perhaps well-intentioned and

misinformed, is the worst possible thing for positive people and for

all principles of equality and human rights. By segregating positive

children further, Kerala is condoning the prejudices of mainstream

society rather than educating them to change. Why not develop an

aggressive state wide campaign to combat stigma and discrimination?

Why not advocacy with schools and the education department? Why have

the possibilities for creativity and innovation in dealing with

problems not been explored?

Anyone on this list who has access to the CM or the SACS and with

even a little bit of sensitivity needs to ensure that the move for a

separate school for positive children does not go through.

Maya Ganesh

E-mail: <mayaganesh02@...>

______________________

In my opinion this is not a good idea - this amounts to segregation

Which will only reinforce the problems faced by HIV aids affected

students.

Mendes

UNICEF, 73 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003;Tel.91-11-24606561,

Fax:91-11-24627521, Mob: 9810103669; email: mmendes@...;

_____________________

It is not a step in the right direction and is very likely to add to the

stigmatization of the PLWHA and will hinder all pursuits for mainstreaming and

adversely affect the efforts for making everybody

realize and contibute towards their responsibilty about HIV/AIDS

Dr.Rajesh Gopal

E-mail: <dr_rajeshg@...>

__________________________

I think instead of a exclusive school for HIV infected students, he should have

earmarked good number seats for HIV infected childern in the schools where other

childern are studying. This way sense of inferiority would have been eliminated.

To my understanding Childern or Adults with HIV are normal person, as sometimes

all humans get infected with one or the other infection in there life time. Are

we opening separate school for each infection particularly when it is not

congigious.

thanks

Firdous a wani

Attending 5th ICAI, Chennai

E-mail: <kaswa_wani@...

____________________

Its so sad that politicians can use anything even HIV AIDS for populist gains!

It would sound like a " noble " deed on part of the politician to the 'normal "

general population, but for those children, their parents and families it can't

get more stigmatising. I hope there are sensible people in Kerala who could

oppose such things and do advocacy for initiatives that make more sense in this

regard.

Stobdan

E-mail: <skalon@...>

___________________

This is the worst form of discrimination you can infect on the children and

parents, what better way to announce HIV status which is to be kept

confidential? I would not concede to the concept even if we all get criminals,

corrupt politicians and all others in the same category into a colony separate

from the rest of the society so that they can be obviously visble to all outside

that colony!

Indira varadarajan

E-mail: <indira@...>

_________________

Such gestures will start new trends and dangerous isolating HIV sufferers more

than any thing else. There is need of creating awareness and educating public to

prevent the spread of HIV and remove the myths and misunderstandings. Such

schools will pass on a wrong message to public. Such children should undergo

normal education like any other child

Dr.B.K.Sharma,

Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity,

E-mail: <Gwalior.Hospital@...>

__________________

Having specialized schools for just HIV positive children has many

issues that are similar to the discussion on whether one should have specialized

hospitals and wards (in this context please see

http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/MYWORK/HIVwards.1.00.html )

Specialized schools COULD be more sensitive to the needs to the HIV+ but they

would also stand out in terms of cost and public notice (thus stigma and

discrimination).

Joint schools COULD teach all society that HIV does not spread through casual

contact. Opportunistic infection of TB is an issue

and children in either kind of school would need to be monitored very regularly

for such OI and there MUST be free OI treatment and ARV available to all

children going to school.

Given the large numbers of children already HIV+ and more anticipated in India

both kinds of schools will be needed. In either case it will be a learning

experience and needs much sensitivity and caring people incharge.

Best

Rajan Gupta

E-mail: <rajan@...>

____________________

Any suggestions to this effect by any functionary of the state ought to be

opposed in letter and spirit as the process will further discrimination and

alienation of HIV positive children.

Shalina Mehta

E-mail: <shalinamehta@...