Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 5: The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R) has submitted a formal request to Dakshina Kannada district in-charge and health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, urging the government to cancel the SSLC examination valuation scheduled during the Christian Holy Week.
Led by Catholic Sabha president Alwyn D'Souza, the delegation highlighted that the Christian community across the world observes this month as a sacred period and has been doing so for the past 2,000 years. As part of this tradition, Christians observe 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance, culminating in the Holy Week.
Holy Thursday, Good Friday (the day Jesus Christ was crucified), and Easter Sunday (celebrating the resurrection of Christ) are significant days of observance for the community. However, this year, the SSLC exam valuation has been scheduled for ten days starting April 15, 2025, which coincides with the Holy Week, causing distress among the Christian community.
The delegation explained that since a large number of Christian teachers are based in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, their participation in valuation work would prevent them from observing and celebrating key holy days such as Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Hence, the Catholic Sabha requested that Christian teachers be exempted from valuation duties during these days.
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao responded positively to the request and immediately contacted the board directors in Bengaluru. He instructed them to consider granting leave to Christian teachers on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The board reportedly assured the minister that after discussions with DDPI and relevant officials, appropriate leave would be granted.
The Catholic Sabha expressed gratitude and appreciation to minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for his swift response and support.
Those present during the submission of the memorandum included Alwyn D’Souza, president of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R), former president Paul Rolfie D’Costa, Fezar Zone president Santosh D’Souza, City Zone president Arun D’Souza, and central general secretary Alwyn Monteiro.