Kerala state committee recommends banning religious worship in schools

The latest update from the Education Rules Reforms Committee in Kerala recommends banning religious worship and graffiti in private schools that receive state assistance.

Kerala contains several missionary run schools, which hold regular prayers, including the Holy Mass and religious activities, which might be affected with the new law. Most of the school walls are abound with religious symbols and quotations from the Bible.

The committee suggested schools to admit students for religious teachings only with the full concern and permission of their parents.

Instead of religious teachings, the committee asked to provide moral science classes which inculcate the values of honesty, unity and non–violence.

Furthermore, the committee demanded private schools to appoint teachers only from a list prepared by a free agency with statutory powers

In an interview with AsiaNews Paul Thelakat, spokesman for the Syro–Malabar Synod and editor–in–chief of Satyadeepam, said that the recommendations are an attempt “to bring political controls” and a “party’s agenda into the school system.”

“We stand for the right of private schools to hire their own teachers as a guarantee of their autonomy. Any eventual restriction on this freedom is a violation, especially for religious minorities. We Christians want our teachers in our schools because it is the only way to preserve and protect the Christian culture and faith,” he said.

The Kerala Education Rules Reforms Committee, headed by former chief secretary C.P. Nair cautioned against allowing religious graffiti on school walls.

According to the church, the recommendations made by the political groups are to downsize religious freedom enjoyed by the minority communities in the state.