Catholic Church opposed to interference in schools

The Catholic Church is at odds against a clause in the Right to Education Bill that demands local elected representatives being part of school management committees.

It's the Clause 21 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008, which the Church says it is opposed and would voice its protest "as it affects us directly.''

"The move will have severe repercussions on scores of aided schools run by religious and linguistic minority groups all over the country, as it will leave room for political interference,'' said Fr Babu Joseph, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), as reported by the Times of India (TOI).

Although the Church supports the free education of children, says Fr Joseph, it is "apprehensive about Clause 21, which makes it clear that all aided schools should `constitute a school management committee consisting of the elected representatives of the local authority, parents or guardians of children in such schools, and teachers.'"

"Most of our schools are aided. If we allow elected representatives to become part of these committees, there will be unnecessary political interference,'' Fr Joseph argued.

The TOI report also quoted Fr Francis Swamy, provincial coordinator for the Jesuit order, which runs 20 schools in the Mumbai region, who also expressed his disapproval over the clause.

"The Christian community has toiled in the service of education. Some of our institutions are over 150 years old and have prestigious reputations. So why allow political interference which will undermine their functioning?" he asked.

Catholic Church runs over 10,000 educational institutions all over the country.