New Delhi, May 5, 2010 :The Catholic Church has expressed apprehension over certain sections of the Right to Education Act, which it says affects the rights of minorities to manage their institutions.

While hailing the UPA Government's efforts to spread universal education for all, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) observed that there are certain sections in the RTE Act which are "discriminatory and violate the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India."

CBCI chairman Joshua Mar Ignathios at a press conference said "section 21 and 22 of the Act take away completely the right to administer the educational institutions established by the Church."

"Section 21 removes with one stroke the fundamental right guaranteed in section 30(1) of the Constitution which gives the minorities the right to administer, consisting of rights to constitute school managing committee, to appoint teaching and non-teaching staff, to set up reasonable school fee structure and to select and chose students,” he pointed.

Church runs thousands of educational institutions in the country and fears that the RTE Act can lead to continuous interference in administration and harassment of the minority institutions.

A press statement signed by CBCI and NCCI further also observed that the RTE Act takes away citizens right to approach the court.

"Section 37 of the RTE Act bars any suit or legal proceeding against the government or national or state commission for child rights, local authority, school management committee or any person."

They also mentioned that if the amendments are not brought about, the Christian community reserves its right to seek judicial remedy from the apex court.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into force in the entire country beginning April last month. The new law makes it obligatory on part of the state governments and local bodies to ensure that every child gets education in a school in the neighborhood. (by John Malhotra, Christian Today)