Catholic Church calls for correction in educational rules

KOCHI: The Catholic Church is heading for a collision with the state government in connection with the decision to bring aided educational institutions under the greater control of the local self-government bodies. The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council Commission for Education has decided to form a consortium of various corporate managements to legally fight the government order, which it claims detrimental to the minority community. KCBC education commission chairman Andrews Thazhath said new amendments to the Kerala Education Act posed a challenge.  “In the name of protecting the public education system, LSGI is trespassing into the affairs of the aided schools,” he added.         

Inaugurating a meeting of the Catholic School managers to review the situation following the changes in the KER Act, Bishop Thazhath stated that a section of teachers in the higher secondary section not getting their wages amounted to a human rights violation. Teachers from all dioceses in the state will be asked to participate in the 2-day state conference of the Catholic Teachers Guild scheduled to be held in Thrissur on February 23 and 24. KCBC education commission secretary Fr Jacob G. Palakkappilly and Fr Jose Kariveilkal, among others attended the meeting.