A pupil at Nalufenya Primary School in Pallisa district has been turned away by teachers for allegedly being HIV positive.
This comes just over one year after Shakulu’s mother [Aisa Namusosa] died in 2011 and later on his father [Abdu Kakubwe] who also later passed on in 2013 from their remote village of Lambala in Kamuli district, leaving the future of this child in uncertainty.
At his age, he should be in school and probably playing with his age mats but instead, the 10 year-old child, Shakulu Bakubwe cannot do any of these and even after having lost both parents to the deadly HIV/AIDS scourge; Shakulu’s misery had just started.
The Child, says he was taken to Nalufenya primary school, which is just 6Km from Pallisa town,alleged that teachers denied him entry and attendance of lessons because of his life-threatening conditions that required serious treatment.
When contacted the school head teacher, Sikola Emanut said she was not aware of this incidence but promised to investigate further.
Margret Naume Ikedit, a medical social worker at Pallisa hospital Shakulu confirmed the pupils sero status saying he urgently needs medical attention.
“This was unfortunate and regrettable for such an incidence.This child needs education like any other child and by blocking him, basing on his HIV status could on the side looked as violating this child’s rights”said Naume.
The district inspector of schools, MsHellen Asio, however rubbished the story, saying that teachers can’t do this, may the pupil was only advised to go back for treatment and this little boy decided to malign that he was chased.
The district education officer, Mr John Francis Okuma, said this is subject to investigations because his office hasn’t received such reports. “This is just strange to me and I am hearing it from you but I need to take keen interest in this matter to its logical conclusion”said Mr Okuma.
