Several convent schools, run by the Archdiocesan Board of Education (ABE), in the city have been showcaused by the education department for remaining closed on August 29. The zonal education officers have sent letters, demanding explanation.

Gregory Lobo, secretary of ABE, said, "We had sent the education department and all its zonal officers a letter two days before the bandh. In it, it was clearly stated that we want to express our solidarity with the Christians who are being killed. In spite of that, the schools were called by the regional educational officers in the first week of September. Once again, the reason was iterated by the school representatives. And now, the authorities have sent the schools letters this week, seeking explanation."

Explaining their stand, an officer from the education department of the north region, said, "We had sent letters to convent schools asking them to state reasons. Generally, the schools submit a list of holidays and August 29 was not included. We wanted to know how they would deal with the loss of working hours." Some schools might not have responded to the letter, that is why they are getting the calls again, he said.

Several principals believed that the letter was unwarranted for. Principal of St Xaviers High School, Father Francisco Carvalho, said, "We generally complete the 30 working hours schedule in a week, which is required by the department. We manage to finish our portion on time, so there was no problem in keeping the school shut for a day." He added that the school had already produced the ABE letter to the department authorities.

Earlier, a convent school in Panvel had to face opposition from local BJP party workers. There were minor protests in the area before the bandh on August 29.

Source : DNA