Quizzed on AIDS, city students tell many a tale

Chandigarh, December 1 Even as schools across the city observe World AIDS Day, the awareness level on HIV/AIDS among students is low. This despite the fact that the Central Board of Secondary Education has recommended schools affiliated to the Board to incorporate the topic in the syllabus.

When Newsline spoke to students from different schools, it found their knowledge of the deadly syndrome somewhat half-baked. While Angad Singh, a student of Vivek High School, said the disease spreads from having multiple sexual partners, he had no idea whether merely touching an infected person could lead to the disease.

Another student, Karanveer said, “So far as I know, the HIV virus can spread through ‘kissing’ as well. I think it is communicable. Eating or drinking with the infected person makes one susceptible to the risk.”

For most, the difference between HIV positive and AIDS was unclear. “I think anybody who is HIV positive is infected with AIDS. This is what we have been taught in the class,” said a student of Government Model High School, Sector 26.

A teacher with the Delhi Public School, however, maintained, “We do teach students about the various ways it is spread and the preventive measures to be kept in mind. It, however, becomes difficult when students ask questions in the class. So the confusion is bound to happen.”