The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Students to spearhead AIDS awareness efforts in schools

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 07, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students to spearhead AIDS awareness efforts in schools

Staff Reporter

UNICEF official hails Chennai Corporation's peer education initiative

EAGER LEARNERS: Students take a look at posters put up at the peer educators convention organised by CAPACS in Chennai on Tuesday. — PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO

CHENNAI : Over 300 teachers and students, receiving training in a life skills programme, will soon talk to their peers about ways to prevent HIV and AIDS, as part of a Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society (CAPACS) initiative.

Students of Corporation schools (higher and higher secondary) in the city will also have a chance to voice their concerns about higher education, family quarrels, financial pressures and adolescent issues. About 15 counsellors have been visiting schools and meeting adolescents, and more would be appointed soon, said Chennai Mayor M. Subramaniam.

Speaking at a peer educators' convention here on Tuesday, he said thousands of children going to these schools would benefit from the programme. "It will also help eliminate myths and increase awareness levels among students," he said.

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni urged students to ensure that the doctors they went to used disposable syringes. He also asked them to check if their barbers used new blades. "Before you get married, insist that your spouse-to-be got an ELISA test done to ensure he or she does not have HIV/AIDS," he said. Devashish Dutta, project officer, HIV/AIDS, UNICEF lauded CAPACS for the initiative. "In other States, some have raised concerns about whether speaking to adolescents about such issues would result in their indulging in sexual activity. But creating awareness at school level is vital," he said. Joint Commissioner (education) Kakarla Usha and Assistant Commissioner (health) K. Manivasan were present.

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