Kerala's Education Standoff: Archbishop Accuses Minister of 'Double Standards' Over Aided School Teacher Appointments

A significant clash is brewing in Kerala's education sector, as Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam of the Changanassery Archdiocese has launched a scathing attack on Education Minister V Sivankutty, accusing him of outright "double standards" concerning teacher appointments in the state's aided schools.

The Archbishop's powerful statement has reignited a long-standing debate over the autonomy of aided institutions versus government control.

Speaking with undeniable conviction, Archbishop Perumthottam highlighted a glaring contradiction in the Minister's stance. "The Minister publicly asserts the inherent right of school managements to appoint teachers," the Archbishop stated, "yet he simultaneously declares that only those appointed through the Public Service Commission (PSC) will be recognized.

This is nothing short of speaking with a forked tongue, misleading the public and undermining established legal precedents."

The Archbishop firmly grounded his arguments in judicial history. He referenced a pivotal 1993 High Court division bench ruling and an equally significant 1998 Supreme Court decision, both of which unequivocally affirmed the right of school managements to appoint qualified teachers, subject to government approval.

These landmark judgments, he argued, underscore that the government's role is supervisory, not dictatorial, in the appointment process.

The core of the Archbishop's criticism lies in what he perceives as a systematic government effort to erode the fundamental rights of aided school managements.

He alleged that the current administration is attempting to centralize all appointments under the guise of creating a 'teachers' bank,' a move he believes is a direct infringement on the hard-won autonomy of these institutions, particularly those run by the Christian community.

This isn't an isolated incident but rather a crescendo in the ongoing protests by Christian organizations against the government's tightening grip on aided schools.

The Archbishop emphasized that these institutions, largely established by various communities—especially Christian communities—through immense sacrifice and dedication, receive only grants from the government, not full financial support. They bear the significant burden of maintaining infrastructure and facilities, yet are now being denied the crucial right to select their own educators.

He further elaborated on the practical difficulties faced by managements: "While the government expects these schools to provide excellent facilities and maintain high standards, it subjects teacher appointment approvals to frustrating delays.

This forces managements to pay teachers from their own pockets for extended periods, creating an unsustainable financial strain on institutions that are already contributing immensely to the state's educational landscape."

In a direct challenge to Minister Sivankutty, Archbishop Perumthottam urged the government to abandon its "agenda to infringe on the rights of aided school managements." He called for an end to what he termed "double-tongued" statements, demanding clarity, consistency, and respect for the established rights and contributions of aided institutions to Kerala's educational fabric.

The standoff signals a deepening rift that could significantly impact the future of education in the state.