School shuns children with HIV ­ disgusting
published: Friday | February 18, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE NATIONAL Organisation of Women (NOW) is disgusted and horrified that children have been turned away from school because they have HIV. This callous and backward behaviour must not be tolerated by the Ministry of Education. It is incomprehensible to us that any group of education officers should attempt to disqualify students from receiving their education because of this disease. What these schools must realise is that these children have a right to live as normal a life as pos-sible. and that this type of discrimination will not be tolerated.

There are thousands of women in this country who have HIV. Many will give birth to children who have HIV. This is not a situation where persons should be ashamed or frightened of saying that they have HIV. Indeed, the more that HIV is brought out into the open and the more that people accept that there are others who have a disease that should encourage love and understanding, is the better the chance that the government has of being able to contain and treat the disease.

Discrimination and shame will only force HIV patients to hide, thus sending the disease underground, where it will continue to spread at an even faster rate. NOW is asking that the Minister of Education moves swiftly to ensure that these children are re-instated without prejudice, and that the teachers involved be disciplined for this callous action.

I am, etc.,

SALLY PORTEOUS

General Secretary

JLP NOW