School ban ends for HIV pupils

A SCHOOL in southern India allowed a group of HIV-positive children back to class yesterday after a six-month battle that has highlighted the stigma suffered by the country’s Aids sufferers.

The Christian-affiliated school in the southern coastal state of Kerala, reputed to be one of the country’s most progressive areas, denied five children access last December after complaints by the parents of other pupils.

Three of the five were infected with HIV and the expulsion prompted intervention by the state government. All five children — one boy and four girls aged between five and 11 — were back in class yesterday, relieved a part of their ordeal was over.

“We all love to go to school and study with our friends,” said nine-year-old Jyoti, one of the children who had been shut out.

The school — which has 65 students — relented this month after the Kerala government threatened to withdraw its permit to operate.

School authorities insisted teachers were ready to accommodate the children, but added they would face an uphill struggle to convince other parents.

“They didn’t listen to our reasoning, as a majority of the parents are ill-educated and poor,” said headmistress Elsamma Mani.

During the ban, the children continued their studies at a non-profit home for the destitute and were able to sit annual tests.