MARGAO: In an attempt to work out a solution to the raging row over the admission of HIV affected children in a Rivona school, the Goa State Commission for the Protection of Children’s rights on Thursday resolved to launch a two-pronged strategy – one to allay apprehensions and fears of the parents and villagers, and two to stand by the 23 children and see to it they are not discriminated against and protect their rights guaranteed by law.
Sanguem legislator Subhash Faldessai also attended the meeting in the afternoon session and is believed to have assured his help to have a meeting with the local opinion leaders, including parents and panchayat members.
The meeting held at the office of the Deputy Director of Education, South Ramkrishna Samant discussed the issue at length with the stake holders, including the provincial, headmaster and manager of Fatima High School, Rivona, the nuns, deputy collector and education officials etc.
The meeting which started in the morning resumed in the afternoon after a lunch break as the participants discussed threadbare how to go about the situation.
While Curtorim legislator Reginaldo Lourenco made his presence felt at the meeting in the morning and gave his suggestions, Sanguem Faldessai was huddled with the participants in the afternoon session.
After the meeting, Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for the Protection of Children’s Rights Sameera Kazi told the media that the meeting discussed the issue with the MLA and the school and education people threadbare, adding that they are now looking for a solution which would be in the interest of the villagers and the children. “We are looking for some good solution. We are looking at both sides. We definitely believe the villagers will cooperate. They need to be sensitive about the children and we are also sensitive about the normal children”, Kazi said.
Replying to a question, Kazi said the people need to change their mind set so that these children are not stigmatised.
Incidentally, Kazi asserted that the children whom the villagers are protesting are normal children and are not even infected. We are sure the villagers will cooperate with the sisters who are doing a good job”, she said.
A member of the commission Prof Joan Rebello told Herald that the panel would finally expect the law of the land to prevail in favour of the children if the ongoing attempt to work out a solution does not bear fruit
