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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Transport woes persist for Kunniyoramala residents amid NH 66 construction
Sixty-two-year-old K.V. Ramakrishnan recalls the death of a neighbour three months ago. The resident, whose family did not wish to be named, died of a heart attack after a doctor from a nearby hospital was unable to reach him due to a lack of transport access. A former fisherman, Ramakrishnan, lives in Four Cent Colony in Kunniyoramala near Koyilandy taluk, Kozhikode district, where residents face persistent transport issues, exacerbated by the 'encroaching' construction of National Highway (NH) 66. On May 8, the residents launched a protest demanding the restoration of transport services and raising objections to the land acquisition process. The protest was temporarily suspended after Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, the project director, and National Highways Authority officials met them during a meeting held on May 28 and assured that their concerns would be addressed within 20 days. 'We will decide our next step once a decision is made,' said Shajith O.P., convener of the Kunniyoramala Samyuktha Samara Samiti. 'We are not against development, but compromising basic transport facilities and safety cannot be considered progress,' he added. Mr. Shajith pointed out that Kunniyoramala has remained cut off since the hill was split during NH 66 construction, leaving residents without access to emergency transport. Concerns over landslides are also growing, with new cracks appearing on the hill and supporting cement walls weakening. Many displaced residents have returned to their houses in high-risk zones after the government reportedly failed to provide the promised rental support. 'How can daily wage workers afford months of rent?' asked K.P. Sunil Kumar a resident. 'We wouldn't be living in fear if land acquisition had been completed,' he added. Residents said they have raised these concerns repeatedly over the last three years but have received little response from authorities. They were particularly disheartened by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh's remarks during a recent visit, where he reportedly told them to wait through another monsoon and said land acquisition would take place only in the event of a landslide. 'What guarantee do we have that a landslide won't happen next monsoon?' residents asked, recalling the previous year's landslide, which forced them into relief camps. This time, however, residents are hopeful as the issue surrounding the NH construction has gained more visibility. While no date has been fixed for a follow-up meeting, residents hope for a timely and lasting solution.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Taking baby steps to regulate pre-schools
Exactly how many pre-schools are there in Karnataka? The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has no accurate answer to this question, thanks to the fact that there has so far been no system in place for registering all pre-schools in the State. A lack of separate rules and regulations or a consistent monitoring system has led to the mushrooming of private pre-schools or early childhood care education centres across Karnataka. While pre-schools running as part of government and private schools are obtaining permission from the DSEL, most stand-alone pre-schools are operating without any approval. In addition, most of those run by corporates as franchise schools and pre-schools too are operating without a monitoring mechanism. There have been allegations that the government or the DSEL has no control over pre-schools, and parents are being exploited by way of exorbitant fees, expensive textbooks, etc. In addition, questions have been raised about the safety and protection of children. Now, for the first time, the Karnataka government has taken steps to register all types of pre-primary schools, including play homes, Montessori, and nurseries, with objectives including child safety and streamlining of private pre-schools. What order says The DSEL issued an order on May 27, 2025, stating that, as per the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Classification and Registration) Rules, 1997, pre-primary education means non-formal education below the first standard for children between the ages of three and five, whether called play homes, Montessori, nursery, etc. The department stated in the order that all 'newly started' pre-schools must be registered compulsorily. Trusts and school managements have been allowed to apply before starting new private unaided pre-primary schools through the newly developed online module on the Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS) portal. Criteria adopted for registration to start a new private unaided pre-primary school include having a building with a carpet area of one square metre per student, subject to a minimum of 2,000 sq. ft, preferably on the ground floor with a playground, either owned or taken on lease for at least 30 years. In addition, the order states that a building fitness certificate and fire safety clearance certificates should be obtained from the competent authority. Physical safety (infrastructure, health, and transportation), personal and sexual safety, and social and emotional safety should be ensured. 'From this year, registration of all pre-schools has been made mandatory. This order has been sent to all district- and taluk-level officers, who have been instructed to register all types of pre-schools in their jurisdiction. Till now, there were no regulations in the department regarding the registration of pre-schools. We also developed a separate module on the SATS portal for pre-schools to register, and it is mandatory for all new pre-schools to register,' says K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner, Department of Public Instruction. The Central Board of Secondary Education has made registration of pre-schools under its jurisdiction mandatory from this academic year. No clarity on numbers According to an estimate, there are around 45,000 pre-schools across the State, out of which about 20,000 are integrated pre-schools in government and private schools, permitted by the DSEL. However, the department does not have information about the number of stand-alone pre-schools, including those run as part of franchise chains. Though some stand-alone pre-schools are run after obtaining permission from the DSEL, the department is not monitoring them in any way, once permitted. Now, although the government has made registration mandatory for new pre-schools starting from 2025-26, there is no clarity on whether these rules apply to existing schools. There is now a demand from parents, educationists, and other stakeholders to issue comprehensive regulations or standard operating procedures (SOPs) applicable to all pre-schools across the State for the safety of children. What are the demands Stakeholders point out that many aspects, including fees, are arbitrary in pre-schools. Although the government has no control over fee fixation in private schools, the rules allow for the regulation of a fee increase of only 10% to 12% a year. In addition, the details of the fees charged by private schools have to be published on the notice board. However, since none of these rules apply to pre-schools, a modest private pre-school in tier-1 cities like Bengaluru charges ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per student a year. There are even instances of big private schools charging ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh a year for pre-school admission. 'Pre-schools have become a big business now, and they charge more than regular schools. Private pre-schools charge huge fees in the name of uniforms, textbooks, and other things. If parents question this, schools tell them to enrol their children elsewhere. That's why the government should bring in fee regulation for private pre-schools,' said Tanuja M., mother of a pre-school child and a bank employee in Bengaluru. Safety of children and the absence of a child-friendly atmosphere are also a concern, as many of the stand-alone pre-schools in the State are being run in residential houses and commercial complexes without any safety measures. 'There is a rule that pre-schools should be started only on the ground floor of a building for the safety of children. However, many stand-alone pre-schools are functioning on the upper floors. Despite several complaints to the Education Department in this regard, nothing has changed. If any accident occurs, who is responsible?' asks B.N. Yogananda, president of the Parents Association. No uniform curriculum Another issue often flagged is the absence of a uniform curriculum in pre-schools. Earlier, the State government had implemented the 'Chili-Pili' curriculum in the pre-schools under its jurisdiction and in those in anganwadi centres. It has now been updated as 'Chili Pili-Plus'. However, there is no uniform or single curriculum applicable to all pre-schools in the State. 'As per rules, there should be no fixed curriculum in pre-schools. Children should have a play-based method of learning. Children are taught to write right from the start in many pre-schools. But language learning includes listening, learning, speaking, reading, and finally writing. Imposing the writing method at the pre-school level will affect the learning of children. Therefore, the State government should take steps to implement a curriculum that is applicable to all pre-schools and is conducive to the overall development of children,' says V.P. Niranjanaradhya, development educationist. Age limit violation Some pre-schools are also found to be enrolling children who are underage, violating the age criteria, leading to problems later when they join primary school. As per the National Education Policy-2020, in July 2022, the DSEL made it mandatory for the completion of six years by June 1 for admission to class 1. Accordingly, the age for admission to Montessori was set at three years, for LKG at four years, and for UKG at five. However, as a temporary step, the department relaxed the six-year age cap for school enrolment for two years. According to that order, it was mandatory to follow the age rule from 2025-26. But, despite the order, most pre-schools continue to enrol children who are under the prescribed age. Buckling under pressure, the government recently postponed the implementation of the age limit rule for admission to class 1 to the next year. SOP for pre-schools 'Child protection is a fundamental right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC talks of children's survival rights, developmental rights, protection rights, and participation rights. In addition, according to Article 39(e) and (f) of the Indian Constitution, it is the responsibility of the State to raise children in a healthy and meaningful way. Even if the State does not run any institutions, it should formulate guidelines or SOPs for those who run institutions. There are no regulations related to the safety of children in pre-schools and protection from exploitation and discrimination. Therefore, in the interest of the protection of children, the Karnataka government should bring a comprehensive regulation or SOP for pre-schools,' says Niranjanaradhya. He points out that Section 11 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, focuses on pre-school education for children. It mandates that the government provide free pre-school education to children above the age of three to prepare them for elementary education and offer early childhood care and education until they turn six. 'The Karnataka Education Act, 1983, has allowed the government to regulate all pre-schools, including government and private ones. Therefore, the State Education Policy that the Karnataka government intends to implement should at least make appropriate rules regarding the regulation and management of pre-schools,' he says. New regulation welcomed Meanwhile, the Associated Managements of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), an association of private school managements, has termed the order issued by the government on registration of pre-schools as a good start. 'Although the State government had issued an order on the registration of pre-schools in 2018, the department has not implemented it. Despite several appeals and protests, unauthorised pre-schools have continued to mushroom. Since there is no fee regulation, they are exploiting children and parents. In many places, there is not even a minimum infrastructure. Therefore, the government has made the registration of pre-primary schools mandatory from this year, which is a healthy development. From now on, all types of pre-schools in the State must be registered compulsorily. If they are not registered, they will be considered unauthorised. IDs will not be created in SATS for children in such pre-schools,' says D. Shashikumar, general secretary of the KAMS. (Edited by Giridhar Narayan)
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala's pioneering literacy advocate K.V. Rabiya passes away
K.V. Rabiya, 59, a village woman who empowered hundreds of illiterate men and women with education despite being confined to wheelchair for life, died at Tirurangadi on Sunday (May 4, 2025) morning. She received palliative care at Almas Hospital, Kottakkal, for a month before passing away at her sister's home at Mamburam, Tirurangadi. Known as the 'ambassador of literacy movement', Ms. Rabiya defied adversity her entire life. She illuminated countless lives with the power of knowledge. Ms. Rabiya was celebrated as Kerala's Aksharaputri (meaning 'daughter of letters') for her pivotal role in the State's total literacy movement. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to polio since age 14, she taught hundreds of people, spanning ages 8 to 80, as part of the literacy movement. In 1994 she founded Chalanam, an organisation that drove social transformation for thousands in her native Vellilakkad village and beyond. Its pioneering women's empowerment programme mobilised 60-odd neighbourhoods even before initiatives like the Kudumbashree became popular. Ms. Rabiya founded schools for physically challenged children while also promoting libraries and women's empowerment. Her efforts brought essential infrastructure to Vellilakkad village, including roads, power and water supply. She fought against social injustices and mediated in family and social disputes, earning her both admiration and adversaries. Ms. Rabiya's remarkable work earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2022. Her earlier accolades included the National Youth Award (1993), Kannagi Sthree Shakti Award (1999), UNDP Award (2000) and Joseph Mundassery Award (2010). Challenges and resilience Ms. Rabiya's life was marked by significant challenges: polio left her unable to walk at 14, breast cancer led to a mastectomy at 32 and a spinal injury confined her to bed for over 25 years. She also battled gastrointestinal and lung issues for over a decade and survived two COVID-19 infections, which left lasting effects. She finally succumbed to cancer, bringing an end to her remarkable yet challenging life. Her inspiring story of resilience has entered into school textbooks. Though the literacy movement she spearheaded more than two decades ago has slowed, its impact still persists. Ms. Rabiya wrote an autobiography titled Swapnangalkku Chirakukalundu, which translates to Dreams Have Wings in English. Some cultural leaders even drew parallels, suggesting she would have been considered for sainthood if she were Christian. Her body was brought to PSMO College, Tirurangadi, where people from different walks of life paid their last respects to her. She was buried with State honour at Naduvil Juma Masjid graveyard, Tirurangadi, in the evening.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
K.V. Rabiya, champion of Kerala's literacy movement, passes away
K.V. Rabiya, a village woman who empowered hundreds of illiterate men and women with education despite being confined to wheelchair for life, passed away at her home at Vellilakkad, Tirurangadi, on Sunday (May 4, 2025) morning. She was 59. Known as the 'ambassador of literacy movement', Rabiya defied adversity her entire life. She illuminated countless lives with the power of knowledge. In her later years, she was bedridden and received palliative care at Almas Hospital, Kottakkal. Rabiya's remarkable work earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2022. Her earlier accolades included the National Youth Award (1993), Kannagi Sthree Shakti Award (1999), UNDP Award (2000), and Joseph Mundassery Award (2010). Rabiya's life was marked by significant challenges: polio left her unable to walk at 14, breast cancer led to a mastectomy at 32 and a spinal injury confined her to bed for 25 years. She also battled gastrointestinal and lung issues for over a decade and survived two COVID-19 infections, which left lasting effects. She finally succumbed to cancer, bringing an end to her remarkable yet challenging life. Her inspiring story of resilience has entered into school textbooks. Though the literacy movement she spearheaded more than two decades ago has slowed, its impact still persists. Her organisation, Chalanam, continues to influence the region, particularly through a women's empowerment programme that mobilised 60 neighborhoods before initiatives like Kudumbashree gained popularity. The village of Vellilakkad also benefited from her efforts, gaining facilities like roads, power and water supply. She was widely hailed as a champion for the underprivileged. Some cultural leaders even drew parallels, suggesting she would have been considered for sainthood if she were Christian.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
School annual events should not be held on working days: child rights panel
School annual day programmes should not be held on working days, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has said. Acting on a petition from a resident of Thottada in Kannur, the commission comprising chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar directed the Director of General Education (DGE) to issue orders that programmes should be held during the daytime on Saturdays and Sundays and should be finished by 9.30 p.m. Extracurricular activities should not be held in a manner that disrupted classes or other school activities. All school authorities should be instructed that non-governmental agencies, clubs, and other organisations should conduct their programmes only on holidays, the commission said. 'Exhausted' The petitioner, a retired teacher, had complained that school annual day programmes that were held in the months of March and April started around 6 p.m. and ended late in the night. Students taking part in these programmes had to put on costumes and make-up early and go without food or water for hours, ending up exhausted. This was also the time Muslims observed a fast, he said, seeking directions for the programmes to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The commission observed that it was the children's right to engage in arts and sports along with academics. Each school should have an environment that encouraged their participation in such activities without any pressure or hurdle. Even arts and sports competitions should become stress-free experiences for students.
