After Bible in school controversy, Karnataka govt to inspect syllabus taught in christian institutions

Bengaluru, April 28: After it came to light that one Bengaluru-based missionary school made it mandatory for students to carry the bible to school, it is being reported that the state government will hold inspections at all Christian educational institutes in the state.

 

 

The Karnataka government will ask all block education officers to visit Christian institutions and carry out inspections. The syllabus being taught at all Christian institutions will be inspected, Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh said.

 

 

Nagesh also said that Christian schools cannot conduct catechism classes. Responding to the queries of the media in Mangaluru, the minister said that be it minority institutions or others, the rules laid down under the Karnataka Education Act should be followed.

 

 

"Bible and Quran are not allowed in schools as they are religious texts and the block education officers have been asked to verify as there are some allegations that institutions run by Christians are asking children to carry Bible in bags and keep it with them during prayer. On their school websites, they have asked to admit children only those who accept Bible. Hence we will look into these allegations. We are not interfering in their administrative matters," he said.

 

This comes after Clarence High School came under the scanner for directing all the students, including non-Christians, to compulsorily take part in Bible lessons.

 

Not only that, the institution also forced parents to sign a declaration in which they have to accept that their child attended Bible classes if they want to gain admission to the school. In the ‘Declaration by Parents,’ it was said, "You affirm that your child will attend all classes, including morning assembly, scripture class, and clubs for his/her own moral and spiritual welfare, and will not object to carrying the Bible and Hymn book during his/her stay at Clarence High School."

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