Panaji: 13 HIV positive orphans have been repeatedly denied admission to schools in a Goa town because of strong objections from residents.
At least three schools in Rivona, a mining town 50 km from Panaji, have refused to admit the children.
"It is a clear violation of their right to education," said Sameera Qazi, a member of Goa's Child Rights Protection body, which has asked the police and district administration to step in and make sure that the children can attend school.
The 13 children had been enrolled in an open school before the nuns who run their home decided to admit them to regular school this year.
The schools say they support the children's right to study without discrimination and have refused to give in to parents who are threatening a boycott.
The prejudice has affected 23 other children who lived with the HIV positive children in the home. They were admitted to a school, but parents and locals say they should be thrown out.
"What the parents are demanding is unreasonable and illegal," said the school's principal, Father Lino Florindo.
Raison Almeida of the Green Goa Foundation has issued notice to Goa's Education Director Anil Powar and says he will move court if the school doesn't admit the children.
A recent Supreme Court notice has asked the Centre and states to declare HIV positive children as a "disadvantaged group" under the Right to Education Act to ensure they can study in schools.
At least three schools in Rivona, a mining town 50 km from Panaji, have refused to admit the children.
"It is a clear violation of their right to education," said Sameera Qazi, a member of Goa's Child Rights Protection body, which has asked the police and district administration to step in and make sure that the children can attend school.
The schools say they support the children's right to study without discrimination and have refused to give in to parents who are threatening a boycott.
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"What the parents are demanding is unreasonable and illegal," said the school's principal, Father Lino Florindo.
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A recent Supreme Court notice has asked the Centre and states to declare HIV positive children as a "disadvantaged group" under the Right to Education Act to ensure they can study in schools.
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