For students with HIV, acceptance a far cry

CHENNAI: “Stay away from us, you are a diseased child, Every time I look at you, I feel like vomiting”... these are the hurting words  hurled at the HIV positive  children by their classmates and teachers. It speaks volumes about the discrimination suffered by these children in the school, shared an Activist from Namakkal at the  State Level Consultation of  District networks of those living with HIV/AIDS,  on the occasion of National Education day here. The break point came in when a grandmother, who takes care of her HIV-orphaned grandchildren, narrated how her grandson was forced to drop out of school, due to continuous taunting by his teacher, despite being a promising student at Class IX.  It is clearly substantiated by the recent study under taken by Centre for Advocacy and Research. The study conducted in six districts of Tamil Nadu by CFAR and  Positive Women Network, points out that 94 percent of discrimination was caused either by the headmaster or teacher. Similarly, 60 percent children face concerns related to self stigma, 50 percent have not disclosed their HIV status fearing discrimination and 34 percent have faced discrimination after disclosing their status.Tamil from  Network of Positive  people in Trichy said, “ The lack of sensitivity towards the HIV positive is very high among private schools. In government schools at least there are some channels of intervention. But private school teachers  really need to be sensitised in this regard.”A private school in Trichy,demands HIV negative children of HIV+ parents to produce a fresh test proof every six months.,“Even after government intervention, the management continues to do so,” added Tamil. In some cases they were made to sit separately in their class rooms and were advised to take TC on unreasonable grounds. Most of the speakers emphasized the need for a stigma free environment for children who live with those affected with HIV. They sought the effective integration of HIV+ children under the RTE Rules being formulated by the Education Department.*Names changed for privacy