India’s Christian schools oppose RTE Act

(January 20, 2012) India’s Christian schools have decided to jointly oppose the implementation of the controversial Right to Education Act, RTE, which they see as unconstitutional government interference in their autonomy. The schools resent the provisions of random selection, doing away with punishments, compulsory promotion of students, neighbourhood concept etc in the Act. “We should put up a joint fight against harassment in the name of RTE Act,” said Auxiliary Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Delhi at a consultation on Tuesday in the Indian capital to make recommendations to the government against the Act. Fr Kuriala Chittattukalam, Secretary Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India’s office of Education and Culture, said the Constitution guarantees minorities’ complete freedom from government interference. Bishop Mulakkal proposed that schools should down shutters if they are targeted or unreasonable demands are made by the government through the RTE. He also urged parents to join in. Principals of premier Christian-run schools who attended the consultation said that with under 25 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections, they could only accommodate poor Catholic students. They also expressed concern over financial constraints because of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.