PANJIM: In the wake of the controversy over admission of 13 HIV positive children in a Rivona school, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has opined that persons involved in such stigmatization should face criminal action.
Outgoing chairperson Sameera Kazi told a press briefing on Friday that she had written to the government that they should ensure that such children should not be discriminated against.
In a set of recommendations submitted to the education secretary, the commission states, “In case of protests against admission to any child, it is the bounden duty of the principal/SMC to report it to the local authority as specified by the education department and file a complaint at the police station.”
GSCPCR had taken suo-motu cognizance of news reports pertaining to the denial of admission to 13 HIV positive children to a school following protests by parents of other students. The commission conducted public hearings with the management, parents, PTA members, respective MLAs, local authorities and education officers.
“Since the question of denial of admission issue flared up, the commission felt the need to make recommendations,” she said, adding education department has been asked to instruct the schools to carry out child rights awareness in schools and that Goa State AIDS Control Society must carry out awareness programmes in each village.
“Every school should bear in mind that HIV positive children are not to be stigmatized. It is imperative that the confidentiality of HIV positive children should be strictly maintained,” Kazi said.
