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Catholic church to introduce own social studies workbook in Kerala
The controversy over the contents of the grade 7 social studies textbook in Kerala has taken another turn with the Catholic church in Kerala deciding to introduce its own workbook for students in direct confrontation with the state government's curriculum.
- By Akhel Mathew, Correspondent
- Published: 23:49 August 10, 2008
Thiruvananthapuram: The controversy over the contents of the grade 7 social studies textbook in Kerala has taken another turn with the Catholic church in Kerala deciding to introduce its own workbook for students in direct confrontation with the state government's curriculum.
The church's plan is to teach this new workbook, which has been prepared by the education committee of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), in all the church-run schools in the state. The move adds fuel to the protest continuing against the textbook from the opposition parties and different religious establishments.
Key opposition
The Congress has been spearheading the agitation against the book in the political sphere while the Catholic church, the Muslim and Hindu communities have all opposed the contents of the textbook.
The key opposition to the book pertains to a lesson, which the book's critics say, has content that is critical of religious establishments and apparently encourages atheism. The KCBC has decided to continue the protest against the grade 7 social studies textbook, and the church will observe August 15, India's Independence Day, as the day of protection of the faith.
The church's workbook is also intended to infuse into students the importance of faith and the dangers of promoting godlessness. The Catholic church has decided to continue its protest against the controversial textbook in all its 29 dioceses.
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