No compromise on HIV students issue: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, July 2 (UNI) Kerala Education Minister M A Baby today reiterated that there would be no compromise on the education of five HIV-positive children, who were facing a boycott by other students of Mar Dionysius School at Pampady in Kottayam District.

Talking to mediapersons here, he made it clear the government would take all steps to continue the education of these children in the same school, even if all other students left the school after obtaining the Transfer Certificate.

Mr Baby reminded that the view of the modern society was protecting all the human rights of the HIV affected and the government was not ready for any compromise on it.

The government had decided to continue the education of these students in the same school after a detailed discussions by the top officials in the Health and Education Department, he said, adding that a high-level meeting to discuss the issue would be convened next week.

Though the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of the school met after the government decided to form a five-member committee to take a decision, parents of other students had threatened that they would withdraw their wards if the school management allowed the children to continue their study in the school.

Meanwhile, Kerala High Court had issued notices to the authorities and the PTA.

The five children, studying in classes II and III, were not attending classes as parents of other children had threatened to withdraw their wards from the school.

UNI