Kerala bishops call to stop single-window system for admissions

The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) has urged the state government to stop the single-window system for admission to schools and colleges, and to review its stance on appointment of teachers.



KCBC president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis raised the demands at a press conference in Kochi on Thursday, following a meeting of the Kerala Catholic Council held at the Pastoral Orientation Centre. 



The KCBC urged the government to cancel its decision granting permission to local bodies to intervene in the academic matters and day-to-day activities of schools in the state.



The KCBC is of the opinion that the teacher-student ratio should be maintained in Kerala as stipulated by the law. 



“The KCBC also demands that the power to initiate disciplinary action against staff be vested with the management itself,” he said.



Further, the KCBC announced support for the ‘nilpu samaram’ being staged by the ‘adivasi’ communities, demanding land and proper rehabilitation. 



“The Church demands that the rehabilitation package announced in 2001 by then Chief Minister A K Antony be implemented,” he said. 



Another demand raised by the Church is that the State Government pass a resolution urging the central government to include Dalit Christians in the SC/ST category and ensure them all the benefits.



“Nadar Christians, whichever denomination they belong to, should be ensured reservation in education and employment. The government should also take initiatives to bring in the necessary amendments to the CRZ notification, and to rectify the anomalies in the Kasturi Rangan report,” the council urged.



Source: New Indian Express