May 11, 2012

Boy With HIV Kicked Out of Kindergarten in New Zealand

A 4-year-old boy in New Zealand has been kicked out of kindergarten because he has HIV, TVNZ reports. The AIDS Foundation in New Zealand has labeled the Mokopuna Early Childhood Education center closed-minded, irresponsible and guilty of willful ignorance. The boy had HIV at birth and is on advanced medication, which means he is not considered a risk. About 20 parents went to the school, demanding the boy be removed. The ministry of education plans to meet with the center, parents and health officials to try to resolve the situation. The head of the Maori Trust that runs the center said that the child was never expelled or excluded and could return to the school provided his family work through a care plan. The human rights commission says the child’s caregivers could make a complaint on the grounds of disability.

To read the TVNZ article, click here.

Search: New Zealand, Mokopuna Early Childhood Education, Maori Trust

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