Govt can pay building rent too: Kerala CM to school management

ALAPPUZHA: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that aided school managers should not try to threaten the state government.
“Since the state government is paying salary to the teachers of aided schools, the government can also give rent for the school buildings, if the managements wish to rent out the schools to the government. If situation demands, the government is also willing to take over aided schools,” said the chief minister. He was speaking at the valedictory function of Kerala School Teachers’ Association state meet.
“The state budget proposed to plug loopholes in Kerala Education Rules (KER), so that the practice of aided school mangers making unjustifiable appointment of teachers is curbed. Some aided school managers have come out against it. As per the budget, new posts can be created in aided schools only with the concurrence of the state government. It has put a stop to the practice of managements creating a new post when the number of students increases in a division in aided schools. Managers had demanded that the government should take over school buildings and said that they only needed rent. If the state government can pay the salary of aided school teachers, it is capable of meeting the rental charges of the buildings too. They should not try to threaten the government by saying this,” the Vijayan said.
He added that some people are seeing the education sector with a business mind. “They are trying to exaggerate the number of students. It will not be permited,” he said.
In another function, Vijayan said that his government would construct at least one housing complex in each district for the landless and homeless under the next segment of LIFE Mission.
He was speaking after handing over the keys of 121 houses sponsored by Ramoji Film City and constructed by Kudumbashree members for the flood victims at a function held at here on Sunday.
The chief minister said that Ramoji Film City constructed the houses spending Rs 7 crore. “The state government is not only aiming to build houses for the poor but also provide employment for them. Apart from it, the government is also ensuring care for elderly and patients,” he said.