AGAINST

Huang Huan

Media commentator

I don't think people living with HIV/AIDS are suitable to be teachers. Teachers are supposed to care for students. Those who are not able to ensure students' health are not qualified to be teachers.

Nowadays, most Chinese families have only one child. As primary school students, children have little knowledge about HIV prevention and are not able to protect themselves from potential danger. I dare to say that up to 90 percent of parents are reluctant to send their children to a class whose teacher is someone with HIV/AIDS and this would cause great panic even though parents are sympathetic and would like to personally help these people.

We can rather offer people living with HIV/AIDS jobs that they can do via the Internet, with no people contact. They can enjoy the pleasure and prestige brought by work in this way. 

Zhang Hong

Parent of a primary school student

My daughter is a primary school student. For me, I won't allow my child to attend the class if the teacher is infected with HIV/AIDS. Children like to play and can likely become injured. If they then need the teacher's help, it is likely that the teacher will infect the wound of a child. I feel my child in danger as long as there is a 1-percent chance of infection.

Also when children find their beloved teacher has a life threatening disease, they may get hurt psychologically.

Wu Gonghua

Vice Director of the Education Bureau of Anqing City of Anhui Province

I don't think it is employment discrimination to refuse people living with HIV/AIDS to be teachers. I personally advocate people with HIV/AIDS status are treated equally. However, all industries have their own entry criteria. It can't be regarded as employment discrimination when someone is rejected because he is not qualified. For example, a strong heart is a requisite for pilots. We can't say this requirement is discriminating for those who have heart problems.

As teachers have frequent and intensive contact with students, the education department should be responsible for the students, parents and the school and thus it is acceptable that they refuse to recruit people living with HIV/AIDS.