Edu dept's 'tax-evading Christian staff' query to schools sparks row

Directive targeting Christian employees was issued to schools under Areacode sub-district

- SOVI VIDYADHARAN @T'Puram

"IF THERE are Christian employees in your school, who draw government salary but do not pay income tax, a report of the same should be submitted within two days to the office of the Deputy Director of Education." This was a strange directive that the state syllabus schools under Areacode educational sub-district in Malappuram received recently from the Assistant Educational Officer (AEO)-in charge. Confusion prevailed as panic-stricken heads of schools rang up higher officials of the department to enquire if the directive, that could create communal polarisation, was genuine.

To their surprise, the communication dated April 22 was issued by senior superintendent Shahina A K who is presently holding the charge of AEO, Areacode.

The letter, accessed by T'NIE, cited a directive from the Deputy Director of Education (DDE), Malappuram, as the basis for the inquiry.