As more schools give out forms, nursery blogs get crowded

New Delhi: With most Delhi schools coming out with their admission criteria on Sunday, as directed by the Department of Education, parents have been frantically posting informationon www.nurseryadmissions.com. The blog has 6,640 members already.

There are more than 825 blogposts and 1,580 discussions with parents sharing tips, discussing interactions, openly alleging the violation of Supreme Court’s orders by some schools as they go about interviewing children or how many coveted seats are being sold for hefty sums of money at some of the most prestigious city schools.

At any given time, there are more than 40 parents online comparing schools, sharing lists of questions and tips to dress right for D-day. Some discussions list questions parents might have to face when they go for interactions in schools. With courts allowing schools to conduct interactions with parents for verification of documents, many schools are allocating as many as 20 points to these interactions. Some of the listed

questions were:

* How much time do you spend with your child?

* Who takes care of the child in your absence?

* How do you tackle your child’s tantrums?

* How independent is your child?

* What do you want your child to become?

Another discussion focussed on whether parents would consider giving donations. While some said they would rather shell out the money and secure a seat, others said they weren’t comfortable with the idea.

Others even requested sources or numbers of people who would accept donations.

“I think we should give donations. But whom we should approach? We offer donations to any school openly,” a parent posted on the discussion group.

Schools, on the other hand, say due to stiff competition, they have to base their points system on the principle of elimination.

On an average, there are about 20 students competing for one seat at every prestigious public school. It is a difficult situation for schools as well, school officials said.

In certain schools like Sanskriti, it is difficult for businessmen to secure a seat.

As per the listed criteria it published on Sunday, 20 points are allotted for the parents’ profession and the preferred professions are media, medicine and academics.

In Birla Vidya Niketan, 25 points would be given to siblings of children already studying in the school and for children of alumni, 15 points would be awarded.

Fifteen points have also been allotted to parents who have excelled in the fields of art, fashion design or media. Some parents have raised objections, saying this again is discriminatory and aims at giving admission to those from privileged backgrounds.

But the Supreme Court has allowed schools to frame their own guidelines that only need to be “intimated” to the Directorate of Education.

No wonder parents chose to complain under pseudonyms in the blogs.


SOurce: indianexpress.com

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Parents armed with solutions to buck flaws in nursery admission

NEW DELHI: The number of nursery seats are the same this year too. There are not many `good' schools in every part of the city. Every school
follows its own criteria. There may be reasons galore for parents to still feel hassled during the admission procedure but the same parents, who went through the grind last year, now suggest that setting one's priority right can help bring down the stress.

"Everyone wants to get into a particular set of schools that are renowned. Not every one can get admission there. So it's important for parents to prioritise. Look at other schools too,'' said Virendra Narain Tandon whose twins got an admission in Birla Vidya Niketan last year. Most parents have preconceived notions about a few selected schools. But this can spell trouble as parents may not be left with options if the schools of their choice don't call them back after the interaction. For instance, DPS R K Puram, which received about 6,000 applications for its nursery wing in East of Kailash last year, only has 160 seats. So the number of parents not making it there is huge.

But there are ways to tackle the problem, say parents with an experience behind them. For parents applying to schools this year, Tandon advised that the best way is to apply to not less than 15 schools in the neighbourhood. "It helps to apply in as many schools as you never know which school your child can make it to as most schools are not transparent in their criteria,'' Tandon said. Another parent, Shalini, whose son got through in DPS, East of Kailash last year insisted that parents should also keep in mind that each case is different from the other and the ordeal of nursery admissions can turn into a smooth ride for anyone.

"There is no need to panic. Just follow the procedure of the school you are applying to. Get your documents like your residence proof, your child's birth certificate and photos in place. And, there is no point endlessly waiting for another school if your child gets through one,'' Shalini said. "Most schools are similar as far as academics is concerned. Some may have more facilities. But ultimately it's the parents alone, who have to look after the child's all-round growth,'' added Ruchi Sharma, a parent who had to run around a lot to find a nursery seat for her daughter last year.


Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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World AIDS Day: world aids day

There are now 33 million people living with HIV, including 2 million children. About 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus each year. Combating this epidemic is one of the top priorities facing public health workers around the world.

With limited resources, what strategy should be pursued? As of now, a vaccine for AIDS is years away from viability. So should resources go towards improving the health of those with AIDS or should funds be used to reduce the incidence of the disease?

The Economist (”The ideal and the good“) reports on the efforts of Dr. Reuben Granich to treat patients and reduce incidence using the same drugs. Dr. Granich finds that although first-line antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) do not offer a cure, they are cheap, reduce the symptoms of HIV and reduce the level of the virus in the person to the point where they are unlikely to pass on the virus. Second-line treatments can be used for the 3% of individuals who do not respond to first-line ARVs. ”Employing the logic of vaccination using proven drugs may be an idea whose time has come.”

You can support the fight against AIDS by donating to one of these fine organizations:

* The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
* The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.



Source: healthcare-economist.com

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World Aids Day: world aids day

Another year rolls around and we are once again reminded of the scourge that continues to gather pace across the globe. Despite a peak of new cases in 2005, NZ continues to struggle with 2+ new HIV cases per week. Complacency amongst middle aged men and the resurgence of bareback porn are both considered to be behind the high infection rate.

The NZ Aids Foundation is at the forefront and regularly holds community forums to try and figure out how to get the safe sex message out there without sounding like a broken record. The 2007 report can be found here.


Here are some of the global trends, sourced from Avert.org:

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.

Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.

At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.

In developing and transitional countries, 9.7 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.99 million (31%) are receiving the drugs.

The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. Around 67% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.

My heart goes out to all those living with HIV/Aids and all those who work the front lines every day of the year. Keep up the good work.


Source: blog.greens.org.nz

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world aids day: New Brunswick hospitals plan World AIDS Day observance

NEW BRUNSWICK —"Look to the Future," a collaborative observance of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the Arline and Henry Schwartzman Courtyard at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, One Robert Wood Johnson Place.

The observance will feature a special memorial service from noon to 1 p.m. to honor those who have lost their battle and to celebrate the lives of those living with the disease, including readings from clients and invited guests.

Program highlights include performance artist Pandora Scooter from 1-2 p.m., and an art show featuring work from local high school students and persons living with HIV/AIDS. A client and pastoral care discussion also will be held, after which guests may visit information booths to obtain literature and speak with providers and health experts.

Free Rapid HIV testing will be offered throughout the day. Trained counselors will be available to discuss the confidential test results, which are provided in 20 minutes. Free Rapid HIV testing and counseling also is available on an ongoing basis through the Robert Wood Johnson AIDS Program, which offers confidential, free HIV services for adults and children. For more information and appointments, call 732-235-6142.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson AIDS program in the Department of Pediatrics at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and the "Our VOICES" Client Caucus of the Middlesex County Department of Human Services HIV Health Services Planning Council-Ryan White Part A Grant. Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the RWJUH Community Health Program and the RWJUH Pastoral Care department also are contributing to the event.

World AIDS Day was established internationally in 1988 and is conducted annually in December to highlight HIV/AIDS, increase awareness of the epidemic and fight prejudice. This year's national observance focuses on leadership.

According to the World AIDS Campaign, the theme highlights both the political leadership needed to fulfill commitments that have been made in response to HIV/AIDS, particularly the promise of universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support, and celebrating the leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society by individuals, in schools and within families.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), in recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, is co-sponsoring a series of events designed to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS worldwide and to encourage residents to get tested for HIV.

The World AIDS Day Campaign has chosen as its theme from 2005 to 2010: "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise," which commemorates leadership and highlights the need for innovation, vision and perseverance.

"It has been three decades since AIDS appeared and although there have been significant accomplishments in reigning in this disease, recent studies show that the crisis is still with us," said state Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard. "It is important we take steps in mitigating the impact of this epidemic. Today is an opportunity to work in partnership with all stakeholders and encourage people to get a Rapid HIV test to learn their status, and get necessary treatment."

According to the 2008 state Department of Health and Senior Services' Division of HIV/AIDS Services Report, more than 35,000 persons were reported living with HIV or AIDS in New Jersey, with minorities accounting for 76 percent of adult/adolescent cumulative HIV/AIDS cases and 78 percent of all persons living with the disease.

New Jersey ranks fifth among the states with more than 70,000 cumulative AIDS cases and has one of the highest percentages of women who have the disease.

Injection drug use and sexual contact remain the major modes of exposure to HIV infection.

While the proportion of reported cases with HIV/AIDS who were exposed through injection drug use (IDU) is lower than in the past, the proportion of cases that were exposed through sexual contact is increasing.


Source: mycentraljersey.com

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world aids day - Africa: World Aids Day 2008

The 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day merits the strong reiteration that HIV and AIDS constitute one of the greatest threats to the health of our planet - but that the threat is being, and can be, met. The nations and peoples of the world want it. The families and friends of the 7,400 people newly infected every day count on it. And UNAIDS has told us again how to do it, in its choice of this year's theme. We are called to 'Lead - Empower - Deliver'.

The Commonwealth - home to one-third of the world's population but two-thirds of its AIDS sufferers - does all three, and hopes to step up its engagement.

The call to leadership has strong foundations. The vision and perseverance of a great many leaders have led to real advances in response to the HIV pandemic. In 2000 the global community raised its voice with a commitment to the 6th Millennium Development Goal, which aimed, amongst other things, to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS. Commonwealth leaders themselves have kept HIV and AIDS at the top of the agenda at Heads of Government and Ministerial Meetings ever since.

Yet leadership has to come at every level, in government, business, community, schools, and families. Much of the best leadership on AIDS has been demonstrated within civil society and faith-based organisations. Successes in Uganda and Botswana, for instance, with which the Commonwealth has been associated, have been the result of a broad-based national effort, from top to bottom.

The call to empowerment is based on the testimony of those who have been given the voice and the wherewithal to confront their situation.

In empowering young people across member countries in their life with HIV and AIDS, the Commonwealth - through its Young Ambassadors for 'Positive' Living Programme - has established a network of hundreds of young people across Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. These are young, brave, articulate, HIV-positive men and women who visit schools, scout groups, junior football teams and more, bringing messages of prevention, determination, compassion and acceptance.

The call to delivery has been reinforced by Commonwealth work in researching and publicising how AIDS has affected women and girls more than men and boys; how it has exposed doctors and nurses to huge risk, and raised for them the spectre of migration; how men and women are denied access to affordable medicine because pharmaceutical companies assert rights over their products.

But despite progress from these and other efforts, the epidemic continues to spread. Many policies and programmes remain unimplemented; homosexuals and prostitutes continue to be marginalised; women and girls are still routinely discriminated against in favour of men and boys; many living with HIV continue to encounter prejudice; and now - in the midst of global financial crisis - it is likely that funding for existing and new programmes will be affected.

These serious concerns must be met with renewed leadership, empowerment and delivery.

Nowhere is leadership more necessary than in making resources available for research into new and appropriate technologies, for new programme delivery approaches, and more community education, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

Nowhere is empowerment more necessary than in bringing women into positions of leadership and decision-making.

Nowhere is delivery more necessary than in erasing HIV stigma and discrimination, and bringing anti-retroviral drugs to the poorest people.

Leadership, empowerment and delivery go hand in hand, and the experience of the Commonwealth Young Ambassadors for Positive Living is compelling testimony to this. These exceptional young people have been driven to make others more aware of the causes and the consequences of the virus they now carry. Each has access to hundreds, even thousands, of young charges. Young minds can be shaped with the responsibility that comes with the gift of knowledge. Together, we can deliver on the goal we still strive towards 20 years later: a world free of AIDS.


Source: allafrica.com

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world aids day: A new memorial for World AIDS Day

On the eve of the 20th annual World AIDS Day, activists unveiled a memorial to the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have died from AIDS.

"I can sail without wind, I can row without oars, but I cannot part from my friend without tears," reads the black granite bench, dedicated yesterday on a curved path in Hudson River Park.

Riverside Church in Harlem was filled with speeches and songs last night as the city prepared to commemorate World AIDS Day today with marches, vigils, prayers and parties.

Princess Kasune Zulu, an activist from Zambia whose parents died of AIDS, reminded the crowd that more than 1,000 Africans 15 years old and younger are infected every day.

Dr. Monica Sweeney, the city's assistant commissioner for the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, said that in New York City there are resources to treat every HIV-positive person. She urged everyone to get tested.

"I know it sounds cliché, but in this instance, if you aren't part of the solution, you really are part of the problem," Sweeney said.

In City Hall Park at midnight, Housing Works began calling out, as part of a 24-hour vigil, the names of those who have died from AIDS

To mark the day, the Empire State Building will have a red glow.

There have been huge advances in treatment and testing, but Marjorie Hill, head of the Gay Men's Health Crisis, cautioned that World AIDS Day isn't just about reflection and remembrance.

"New York City is still the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic," she said. "The one in four New Yorkers that right now, on World AIDS Day, is living with HIV but does not know his or her HIV status is of keen concern."


Source: nydailynews.com

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