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While millions of Mexican children began classes on Monday, the sect prevented students from entering the school in their community, sparking scuffles between the adults that left three people injured.
"Faced with the stubbornness of one group in New Jerusalem, transport will be facilitated by the government. We hope that this way the children can begin classes (next) Monday," the state government's deputy secretary, Fernando Cano, told AFP.
The sect tore down a state-run preschool and elementary school in July when community leader Rosa Gomez, claiming to have received a vision from the Virgin Mary, ordered their destruction "because the devil lives there."
The religious cult refused to let classes begin because government teachers would work there.
The sect says those who wish to study in New Jerusalem, which was founded by a Catholic priest in 1973, must attend the parochial school. The Roman Catholic Church has disavowed the group.
The cult's followers are not allowed to watch television, read newspapers, own mobile phones or practice sports. Women must cover their hair and cannot wear pants.
Cano said another option to let school start Monday would be to bring mobile classrooms or conduct lessons in rented homes within the community. But he said he feared that such a move could fan the flames.
Dissident members of the community, who are in the minority, accused the government of caving in to pressure from the sect.
"The government is finally doing what the other side, which opposes education, wants. It is not defending our rights," Oscar Montero, a representative of the dissident faction, told AFP.
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"Faced with the stubbornness of one group in New Jerusalem, transport will be facilitated by the government. We hope that this way the children can begin classes (next) Monday," the state government's deputy secretary, Fernando Cano, told AFP.
The sect tore down a state-run preschool and elementary school in July when community leader Rosa Gomez, claiming to have received a vision from the Virgin Mary, ordered their destruction "because the devil lives there."
The religious cult refused to let classes begin because government teachers would work there.
The sect says those who wish to study in New Jerusalem, which was founded by a Catholic priest in 1973, must attend the parochial school. The Roman Catholic Church has disavowed the group.
The cult's followers are not allowed to watch television, read newspapers, own mobile phones or practice sports. Women must cover their hair and cannot wear pants.
Cano said another option to let school start Monday would be to bring mobile classrooms or conduct lessons in rented homes within the community. But he said he feared that such a move could fan the flames.
Dissident members of the community, who are in the minority, accused the government of caving in to pressure from the sect.
"The government is finally doing what the other side, which opposes education, wants. It is not defending our rights," Oscar Montero, a representative of the dissident faction, told AFP.
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