The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Contempt by choice?

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Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Contempt by choice?

This refers to the article “Breeding contempt: a deliberate choice?” (OpEd, Dec. 10). Schools are the most responsible and important social institutions. But in the present scenario, they are deliberately ignoring their duty towards the nation, towards society and towards the individual as well. Moral and value education classes merely fill up the empty periods.

Madhulika Sharma,

Samana

The religious bias at schools brings attention to the violation of the right to freedom of religion and worship. Most schools and colleges in our country still conduct a “prayer” session to praise a certain religion or a specific language. Certain schools even enforce a religious dress code on their students. And some schools have built places of worship on their campuses. There are also educational institutions which forbid the performance of any religious activity and do not allow children to stay off on gazetted holidays. Religious activities should be left to religious institutions. No educational institution should have the basic right to “initiate” a minimal religious activity, even if it is affiliated to a religious institution.

Sriram Varadharajan,

Pasadena

While the author’s contention against schools discriminating students on the basis of their economic status, gender, caste, religion and language is appreciated, one cannot agree with her view on certain schools prohibiting children from bringing food of their choice to the school. Many institutions teach the lofty ideals of saints who professed vegetarianism. How can we expect them to permit students to eat non-vegetarian food on their campus? Why not parents, in such cases, opt to admit their children in schools that give the full freedom on food habits?

R. Thirunarayanan,

Chidambaram

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Contempt by choice?