NHRC sends notice to Chief Secretary, Kerala on HIV positive students
New Delhi June 29, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to Chief Secretary, Kerala on a report which said that "Five HIV positive children were sent back from school" in the State.
The report which appeared in the Hindustan Times on June 20, 2007 said that these children who were re-admitted to a lower primary school, in Pampady in Kottayam district were sent back from school under dubious circumstances. The School authorities had however, said that they were sent back as there were reports of fever spreading. The report, further, said that the school authorities were not allowing these children to attend classes following pressure from the parents of other children who had threatened to withdraw their wards from the school. The report highlighted that the school authorities re-admitted these children on the intervention of Union Health Ministry through the AIDS Control Society and State Government officials. De-recognition also compelled the school authorities to take back these children.
Calling the press report distressing and a serious issue of violation of human rights of children the Commission has asked for comments from the Chief Secretary, Kerala within two weeks.
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The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to Chief Secretary, Kerala on a report which said that "Five HIV positive children were sent back from school" in the State.
The report which appeared in the Hindustan Times on June 20, 2007 said that these children who were re-admitted to a lower primary school, in Pampady in Kottayam district were sent back from school under dubious circumstances. The School authorities had however, said that they were sent back as there were reports of fever spreading. The report, further, said that the school authorities were not allowing these children to attend classes following pressure from the parents of other children who had threatened to withdraw their wards from the school. The report highlighted that the school authorities re-admitted these children on the intervention of Union Health Ministry through the AIDS Control Society and State Government officials. De-recognition also compelled the school authorities to take back these children.
Calling the press report distressing and a serious issue of violation of human rights of children the Commission has asked for comments from the Chief Secretary, Kerala within two weeks.
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