Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Church has strongly criticized a recent statement by Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty, describing it as “completely malicious and misleading” toward the Christian community. The Minister had alleged that Christian managements were obstructing the appointment of differently-abled teachers, a claim the Church has firmly rejected, calling it unfounded and politically motivated.

The Church emphasized that Christian managements have consistently provided assurances to both the state government and the Supreme Court that vacancies for differently-abled teachers are maintained and filled according to government guidelines. Catholic school managements, in particular, are implementing reservation policies faithfully as per official instructions.

“It is inappropriate for the Education Minister to target Christian managements while ignoring the fact that vacancies for differently-abled teachers have been properly maintained and managed in accordance with government directives,” the Church stated.

The Church noted that, while reservation quotas exist, a significant shortage of eligible differently-abled candidates persists. Even half of the vacancies reserved until 2022 remain unfilled, and additional posts created between 2022 and 2025 are also vacant due to the limited number of qualified candidates.

The Church accused the Kerala government of using differently-abled appointments as a pretext to delay other teaching appointments, asserting that the Minister’s statement conceals ulterior motives.

“The government’s insistence that no other appointments be approved before filling the differently-abled posts is misleading and risks harming teachers and Christian managements. The real problem lack of eligible differently-abled candidates is being deliberately hidden,” the Church said.

The Church further highlighted that the Supreme Court, in a case related to NSS-managed schools, had clarified that after fulfilling reservations for differently-abled candidates, other teacher appointments should be approved and regularized. The Kerala government had subsequently issued a supporting order, and the Christian Aided School Management Consortium obtained a favorable ruling from the Kerala High Court enforcing the same principle.

The Church urged the education minister to recognize the professional status of teachers and uphold the government’s responsibility to safeguard their rights and welfare. It criticized the Education Department’s dismissive responses to grievances, often instructing managements to “go to court if you want,” stressing that protecting teachers should be a priority for a democratic government.

“No society can rise above the standard of its teachers. The government’s foremost responsibility is to ensure justice and protection for teachers who shape the society of tomorrow,” the Church said.

The statement concluded that the Minister’s public remarks, by spreading allegations contrary to facts, are unbefitting of his office and risk aggravating tensions between the government and Christian aided school managements.

Kerala’s aided school system includes both NSS and Christian managements, and teaching appointments are governed by both government directives and judicial rulings. The debate over differently-abled teacher appointments has resurfaced repeatedly, with courts reaffirming reservation principles while acknowledging practical constraints due to the availability of eligible candidates. The Church’s statement highlights ongoing tensions between state authorities and private aided educational institutions in implementing policies fairly and transparently.