Latest news with #V.Sivankutty
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Sivankutty calls for steps to distribute textbooks in KVs
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has called for urgent intervention to address the shortage of textbooks in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs). Despite four months having passed since the academic year began, many students still have not received the textbooks. The issue has particularly affected the students of Classes V and VIII in PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas, the Minister said in a statement. He flagged the alleged negligence by National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the authority responsible for textbook distribution, for the crisis that persists even as just a few days remain for the first-term examinations. 'Classes in Kendriya Vidyalayas began on April 1st, yet the study materials have been made available only online to teachers so far. Besides, students cannot be expected to face examinations without textbooks. The situation could seriously impact their education,' he cautioned. In contrast, the State government ensured textbook availability even before the academic year commenced in State-run schools.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Additional school hours: Samastha to offer practical suggestions during talks with govt.
Sunni scholars' forum Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama and its affiliate organisations have said they will offer practical suggestions related to the additional instructional hours being implemented in State syllabus schools. This was decided at a meeting held here on Tuesday. The Samastha had opposed the additional working hours for Classes VIII to X, 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon on all days except Fridays, saying it would affect students who attend 'madrasa' classes early in the morning. Its leaders told the media on Tuesday that if there was no positive response to their suggestions during the proposed talks with Education department officials, protests would be intensified against the government. The Samastha functionaries pointed out that there had been no response to a memorandum submitted by the organisation ahead of the implementation of the new timings. No talks were held either. The Samastha Kerala Madrasa Management Association subsequently declared that it would hold protests against the government across the State. However, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty spoke to Samastha president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal over phone on July 14 and expressed the government's willingness to hold talks on the issue. M.T. Abdulla Musliyar, general secretary, Samastha Islam Religious Education Board, said that practical suggestions would be put forward during the talks. 'If there is no positive response, all Samastha-affiliated organisations will jointly organise intensified protests. There is no going back on this. The government should take the people into confidence while taking decisions. Religion is a form of education and vice-versa. Religious education is a crucial component of Islam, it cannot be set aside,' he said. The new timings were implemented to realise the target of 220 working days and 1,100 instructional hours for Class VIII as per the Right to Education Act and for Classes IX and X as per the Kerala Education Rules. Samastha secretary Umar Faizy Mukkom, central 'mushawara' member Bahauddin Nadwi, among others, were present at the press meet.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Government ready to clear doubts regarding revised timing in high schools: V. Sivankutty
The State government is prepared to clear any doubts related to the revised high school working hours in the 2025-2026 academic calendar, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has said. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Sivankutty said the current objections against the time revision were suspicious given that similar revisions in the past were not met with protests or disputes. There is a misconception that the revision applies to all classes from Classes I to Class X. On the contrary, the increase of 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon sessions (9.45 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.) applies only to high schools. Organisations such as the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama had expressed concerns that the revised schedule would affect madrassa education. Mr. Sivankutty said on Sunday that the sections now criticising the time revision raised no objection when the higher secondary schools timings were revised from 9.30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. during the United Democratic Front rule in 2014. The State government had constituted a five-member expert panel in January 2025 to study issues related to the academic calendar. In publishing the academic calendar, the State government only sought to ensure academic standards in school education and to guarantee the required 220 working days and 1,100 instructional hours, excluding examination days, as required by the Kerala Education Rules, Mr. Sivankutty said. To compare, Gujarat has 243 days, Uttar Pradesh 233, Karnataka 244 days, Andhra Pradesh 233 days and Delhi 220 days.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Outrage over foot worship at schools in Kasaragod, Kannur
A series of 'Pada Puja,' foot-washing ceremony, held in multiple CBSE schools in Kasaragod district has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties, child rights bodies, and civil society. The ceremony, part of Guru Purnima celebration on Vyasa Jayanti, saw students kneeling and washing the feet of teachers, including retired teachers, and offering flowers in a symbolic ritual of reverence on Thursday. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday demanded a report from the Director of General Education and condemned the practice as 'undemocratic and against the spirit of modern education.' The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights sought reports from the Bekal Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Badudka police on the incident. The rituals were reportedly held at Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam at Bandadka, Thrikkarippur Chakrapani Vidya Mandiram English Medium School, and Cheemeni Vivekananda Vidyamandiram — all under the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan umbrella. A similar ceremony was also held at Sreekandapuram Vivekananda Vidyapeedam in Kannur. The events were led by the Vidayala Samiti in celebration of Vyasa Jayanti. Visuals of the event has been widely circulated on social media, drawing criticism. Terming the event as primitive and degrading, the Student Federation of India, Balasangham, and Democratic Youth Federation of India staged protests and lodged complaints. The SFI approached the child rights commission, demanding accountability. SFI Kasaragod district secretary K, Pranav said the ceremony was regressive and contrary to Kerala's progressive educational values. The DYFI said the ritual was an attempt to introduce Sangh Parivar ideology in educational institutions and undermine scientific temper and secular values of the public education system. The DYFI announced a State-wide campaign 'Human vigilance against Sangh Parivar's move to return to primitive times' on July 14 in front of private schools. Earlier, Mr. Sivankutty, speaking to mediapersons, reiterated that such practices eroded the purpose of education, to foster critical thinking and self-awareness. 'Instilling a slave mentality in students has no place in democratic society,' he said. The Minister said the Department of General Education had the authority to take action against schools in any syllabus that did not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. The Welfare Party of India also condemned the act, calling it an insult to humanity. In a statement, the Kasaragod district unit accused the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan of attempting to usher in a Hindutva-oriented social order through education institutions. The demanded an investigation and strict action against those responsible.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Religious organisations should not unnecessarily interfere in education field: Sivankutty
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Thursday said religious organisations should not 'unnecessarily interfere' in educational matters amid reports that a Sunni scholars' association is planning to protest against the recent revision in school timings. Earlier in the day, responding to questions from a television channel, Mr. Sivankutty maintained that exam schedules or school timings could not be altered for a particular section of society. 'Such decisions cannot be made by a democratically elected government,' he added. The Minister described the demands to roll back the revised school timings as 'undemocratic' and said they carried a tone of 'intimidation,' posing a direct challenge to the government. 'There are many organisations that have raised similar demands. If we were to accommodate all of them, it would be impossible to run schools,' Mr. Sivankutty said. 'Religious organisations should not unnecessarily interfere in the education sector. Such interference cannot be accepted under any circumstances,' he asserted. He also dismissed the need for further discussions on the issue, stating that the decision impacts the education of 30-35 lakh students and was made in their best interest. Court order Mr. Sivankutty clarified that the additional 15 minutes in both the morning and afternoon sessions were implemented in compliance with a court order. He urged those opposing the move to seek legal recourse. The Minister reiterated that the school hours were extended—by 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon, except on Fridays—for 16 days a month to meet the mandated instructional time equivalent to 220 teaching days, as required under the national education calendar and State regulations.
