A teacher banned from Taveuni Central Indian Primary School
says he is not allowed in the classroom because he is a Christian.
The school is four teachers short on its staff but the management is refusing
to accept the teacher posted there by the Ministry of Education.
Simon Krishna yesterday said he was posted to the school at the beginning of
this year but had not been allowed in class since the appointment.
Mr Krishna said all he did is go to school in the morning, sign in the
attendance register and go back home. He does the same thing each afternoon.
He said the school management had not told him why he had been locked out.
All I have heard from here and there is that the management does not want me
because I once was accused of being involved in an extra-marital affair and the
other reason, I am hearing is that I am a Christian and that it is a"
Hindu school, Mr Krishna said.
I am a civil servant and I have taught for 15 years and have produced
excellent results.
The management has no right to pass judgement about my professional life.
I do not think my personal life affects my professional life in any way.
I can teach well and I do not have a criminal record. What is happening now is
they are doing a character assassination.
School headteacher Chandrika Prasad confirmed Mr Krishna was not being allowed
in the classroom.
Mr Prasad said there was some problem between the Ministry of Education and the
school management.
I do not wish to comment on the matter. All I know there is some problem and I
hope the matter is resolved, he said.
School manager, Micheal Krishna declined to comment.
He said the ministry was handling the case.
Education Ministry headquarters said it was not aware of the case but would
investigate it.
Faxed questions to the Education Permanent Secretary remained answered as she
was on a sick leave.
But two Hindu organisations are not happy with the management of Tavueni
Central Indian Primary School for not allowing the Christian teacher from
taking classes there.
Arya Pratinidhi Sabha president Kamlesh Arya said that if the school does not
want the services of a teacher because he is a Christian it is unconstitutional.
This is against the Bill of Rights as everyone is entitled to their own
religion ... it a serious breach of the 1997 Constitution.
Gujerat Society trustee Mul Chand Patel said teachers were sent to schools on
merit.
A teacher should be accepted as they are because they are there to teach.
Religion has nothing to do with it.
The teacher will teach students subjects other than religion.
The school is run by the Indian community on Taveuni.