PANJIM: Directorate of Education (DoE) has asked all the schools within its jurisdiction to impart religious teaching and teaching on tolerance and empathy; however no teacher or student should be ‘compelled’ to attend it.
Director Education Shailesh Zingade has issued a circular in this regard.
“It is enjoyed upon the heads of the schools to impart teaching on tolerance and empathy. Religious teaching, if necessary, in schools be considered only to promote brotherhood and mutual respect,” the circular reads.
It has however, clarified that the Chapter IV, Rule 37 of Goa Education Rules 1986 should be strictly followed.
As per the rule, no teacher or student of the school is compelled to attend the classes in which religious instructions are given or to take part in any religious activity. Also no teacher or student absenting himself from a religious instruction, or religious activity is made to suffer any disability on that account and no student is refused admission to the school because exemption from attending religious exercises or religious instructions has been claimed by him or his parent or guardian.
