Meeting gives nod for new school working hours
The meeting gave the nod for new working hours for schools (an increase of 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon). They will begin at 9.45 a.m. and close at 4.15 p.m.
The organisations also made known their support for implementing the academic master plan.
The meeting decided to continue with terminal examinations and unit tests.
It was decided that comprehensive quality education would be implemented for classes I to IX in future. Subject minimum in the written component of examinations was also approved.
The Minister said the demand of teachers' organisations to increase the material cost for the midday meals scheme would be discussed. He would also explore the possibility of local bodies contributing a share to the midday meal scheme at a meeting with heads of local self-government institutions.
Technical hurdles related to students' Unique Identity Number (UID) will be examined. A decision would be taken on considering the number of UIDs that become available after the sixth working day deadline for determining the number of staff positions in the academic year.
The Minister said that demand to change the student-physical education teacher ratio from 1:500 to 1:300 and appointing physical education teachers to higher secondary and lower primary classes would be considered.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 42 teachers' organisations. General Education Secretary K. Vasuki and State Council of Educational Research and Training Director Jayaprakash R.K. were present.
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