Forced to leave school, 2 HIV+ students clear Class X

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Forced to leave school, 2 HIV+ students clear Class X through national open

school

Anuradha Mascarenhas: Wed Jun 16 2010, 00:23 hrs Pune:

Despite the prejudice and discrimination from various sections of society, two

HIV positive children cleared the Class X examinations through the national open

school system this year.

These children were admitted to the Zilla Parishad school at Bhugaon, 12 kms

from Pune, four years ago, only to be taken out later because of resistance from

parents of other students.

Two HIV postive students had cleared the examinations last year. However, the

`vasti-shala' system whereby students at the Manavya orphanage are taught by

visiting teachers has its own set of problems.

One of them, a seventeen-year-old student who has to support his HIV positive

brother, has decided not to study further and secured his first job as a helper

at an air-conditioner repair shop for a salary of Rs 3,000 per month. Another

student is already on the second line anti-retroviral treatment and has to

travel to Mumbai for medication.

He aspires to be a male nurse with help from the orphanage run by Manavya and

has enrolled for training as an auxillary nursing midwife.

The Indian Express had reported on September 29, 2006 how HIV positive children

shunned by society were forced to study at a one-teacher school.

" Our experience with these two students at the Bhugaon Zilla Parishad school

discouraged us from subjecting them to further humiliation. Hence, at Manavya we

decided to opt for non-formal schooling, " admits Ujwala Lawate, a managing

trustee of Manavya, a shelter for orphaned children.

As of now, the `vasti-shala' system, implemented by Manavya, has four teachers

visiting the orphanage and teaching students from Balewadi to Class VIII. The

Zilla Parishad only gives a Rs 800-1,000 per teacher for the project; the

organisation has to find sponsors to pay Rs 6,000 to each teacher.

" Students of Classes IX and X have to rely on self study with volunteers of NGOs

helping them, " said Lawate.

Despite its best efforts, Manavya has not succeeded in providing an environment

entirely free from prejudice against these children. " We advise them not to

reveal their HIV status unless for medical reasons, " said Lawate.

Lawate said the government grant of Rs 950 per month per child is not enough to

meet medical expenses and other needs. Of the 50 children, 41 are on

anti-retroviral treatment and have to travel to the Sassoon Hospital once a

month for their check up and medicines. " One child died in last four years and

another student, who could not clear one subject under the open school,

contracted tuberculosis and had to undergo a minor surgical procedure, " said

Lawate.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Forced-to-leave-school--2-HIV--students-clear-\

Class-X-through-national-open-school/634387