Stay order issued against 'derecognition' of Christian school

Bringing reprieve to the management and students of St Mary's School in Mazagaon, Mumbai, the state education department stayed a previous notice derecognising the school.

The director of education, Pune, GK Mhamane stayed the decision of the deputy director till further orders are passed, media reported.

The stay order was issued after officials at the education department met a delegation of the school's management. The school is now slated to reopen on June 13.

Now that a stay order has been given, the school management will have to counter the allegations when the department conducts hearing.

Nearly 1,000 students study at the 78-year-old Jesuit-run institution.

The education last week derecognized the school for alleged collection of capitation fees, insufficient infrastructure and other violations of state norms.

Christians have strongly come out in support of the school, calling the derecognition order a malicious attempt to defame an institution of repute.

The Maharashtra Council of Churches (MCC) said it was an "attack on a minority institution in violation of our constitutional rights".

"State government officials are increasingly putting roadblocks in the day-to-day functioning of minority institutions," commented Raymond D'S ouza, president of the Maharashtra Christian Association.

The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) in a statement earlier termed the derecognition a "clear sign of vindictiveness with malicious intentions".

"The order is in scant disregard for thousands students and parents who are affected. If the authorities are serious, they should take cognizance of similar glaring and even more grave violations by other schools in the vicinity and elsewhere," the Christian body said.