Congress-IUML Government Faces Heat Over Controversial School Recruitment Order
Has the Congress-IUML government invited an avoidable constitutional dispute by changing how aided schools recruit temporary teaching and non-teaching staff?
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A fresh dispute has erupted between Keralam's Congress-IUML-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government and Christian educational institutions after the state Education Department directed aided schools to fill temporary teaching and non-teaching vacancies only through government employment exchanges.
Church leaders have described the directive as an infringement on the constitutional rights of minority institutions and have urged the state government to withdraw the order immediately.
Government order sparks controversy
The Director of General Education issued an order on 27 June directing all aided schools in Keralam to make temporary appointments to teaching and non-teaching posts exclusively from lists provided by government employment exchanges.
The directive applies to aided schools, which are privately managed institutions receiving government financial assistance.
Church says minority rights are being curtailed
Reacting to the order, Joseph Jude, Vice President of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council, said the directive violates the constitutional protection granted to minority educational institutions.
"This is absolutely unacceptable because it violates our constitutionally guaranteed right to establish and administer educational institutions," he said, urging the state government to revoke the order.
Jude argued that while the Education Department is empowered to prescribe qualifications and maintain academic standards, it cannot dictate whom aided minority institutions should appoint.
"The role of the Education Department is to ensure that aided schools appoint qualified staff in accordance with the qualifications prescribed by the government," he said.
Syro-Malabar Church also objects
The Public Affairs Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church also opposed the order, calling it unconstitutional and demanding its immediate withdrawal.
In a statement issued on 23 July, the commission said Christian-run aided institutions have played a significant role in Keralam's education system by sharing the responsibility of providing quality education. It argued that compelling schools to recruit temporary and daily-wage employees only through employment exchanges amounts to interference in the administration of minority institutions.
Delhi High Court judgment cited
Church leaders also referred to a 1 July 2026 judgment of the Delhi High Court in the St. Anthony's Boys Secondary School case.
The High Court held that while governments may prescribe qualifications and experience for teaching and non-teaching staff, they cannot impose additional restrictions on appointments in minority-aided institutions. The court observed that the power to appoint staff is an integral part of the constitutional right guaranteed under Article 30, which protects the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
According to the judgment, as long as appointees possess the qualifications prescribed by the government, education authorities cannot interfere with the institution's choice of candidates.
Thousands of schools could be affected
According to Church figures, Christians manage 2,596 aided schools in Keralam, accounting for around 36% of the state's aided institutions. Hindu managements run 2,957 aided schools, while Muslim organisations manage 1,384.
Church leaders have warned that if the Congress-IUML-led Keralam government does not withdraw the order, they will explore legal remedies to safeguard what they describe as their constitutionally guaranteed rights.
The Keralam Education Department had not issued a response to the objections at the time the original report was published.