Pressure from Christian management bears fruit; Govt changes stance on teacher appointment in aided schools

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to extend the favourable ruling given to NSS in the teacher appointment to other managements too. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Minister V. Sivankutty announced at a press conference that the government will take legal steps to make the exemption and benefits granted to NSS applicable to other managements as well. The matter will be informed to the court when the case is taken up for consideration on Thursday. The government walked back from its earlier stance after Christian management came out with strong opposition.

The verdict obtained by NSS states that if seats are reserved for the differently-abled teachers, the remaining seats can be given statutory approval.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a meeting with KCBC President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos last week, assured that a solution would be found soon after examining the legal aspects. Education Minister V. Sivankutty, who held discussions with Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, also stated that the government would expedite the process.

Many teachers were in crisis due to the lack of legal approval for the appointment of differently-abled teachers.

The Chief Minister said in a press conference that all sections have complaints regarding the appointment of differently-abled people, and the government is approaching the Supreme Court because it cannot take unilateral action. The verdict states that any action taken by the government regarding the appointment of differently-abled people requires the knowledge and approval of the Supreme Court.