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Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Commissioner of examinations can make changes to the caste and religion entries of students in SSLC book, rules Kerala high court
Kochi: High court has held that the commissioner of examinations has the authority to make changes to the caste and religion entries of students in their SSLC books under Rule 3(1), Chapter VI of the Kerala Education Rules (KER), 1959. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice D K Singh issued the ruling while allowing a petition filed by Sudhin Krishna C S of Palakkad, who sought a directive to the concerned authorities to change his name and religion in his SSLC book. The petitioner, born to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother, was originally named Mohammed Riyazudeen C S. After attaining majority, he chose not to follow Islam and began practising the Hindu religion, having been raised by his mother in accordance with Hindu tenets. He subsequently applied to the district educational officer seeking changes to his name and religion in the SSLC book, supported by relevant documents, including a certificate from the Arya Samajam, Kozhikode. However, the authorities rejected his request, citing an absence of provisions under the KER, 1959, for altering religious identity in the SSLC book. This led the petitioner to approach the high court. The govt pleader opposed the plea, arguing that no authority had been notified under Rule 3(1), Chapter VI of the KER to effect changes in the caste or religion columns, and that the commissioner of examinations was only authorised to alter the date of birth. The court, however, underscored that the petitioner has a fundamental right to practise a religion of his choice. If a person changes their religion voluntarily and without coercion, fraud, or undue influence, such an act is protected under the Preamble to the Constitution and Article 25, the court noted. Upon examining Rule 3(1), Chapter VI of the KER — titled 'Alteration of Date of Birth etc.' — the court observed that the scope of the rule is not limited to date of birth alone; it also allows for other changes, including religion and caste, to be effected by a competent authority. Accordingly, the court directed the authorities to carry out the changes as requested by the petitioner with respect to his name and religion in the SSLC book.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala high schools set for more instructional hours in 2025-26
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has announced changes to the academic calendar for 2025-26, increasing school hours by 30 minutes from Monday to Thursday for the high school section. Additionally, two Saturdays will be designated as working days for the Upper Primary section, while six Saturdays will be set aside for the High School section. These adjustments are being made to meet the minimum instructional days required by education regulations. The decision comes after an ultimatum from the High Court to ensure that the number of instructional days is sufficient. The government acted quickly to finalise the new academic calendar just two days before schools are set to reopen on June 2. According to the Kerala Education Rules (KER), a minimum of 220 instructional days is mandated each year.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Permission of govt. required before alienating property of aided schools: HC
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has observed that before the property of an aided school is alienated, permission shall be obtained from the State government or any officer authorised by it in this regard. The Bench made the observation while allowing an appeal by some teachers of a lower primary school in Manjeri against a single judge's order quashing the government order declining approval of a teacher nominated as manager by the person who purchased the school. The government had rejected approval on the ground that the owner of the property could only be made manager and a third party could not be appointed as the manager. The appellant contended that as owner N. Sidrathul Munthaha had not obtained any previous permission before obtaining title, the entire transaction is void under section 6(3) of the Kerala Education Act. The Bench observed that before an aided school's property is alienated, it is the mandate of the law that permission shall be obtained from the government or any officer authorised by the government in this regard, and such permission cannot be obtained merely by invoking Rule 5A of Chapter III of the Kerala Education Rules (KER), which is only a procedural rule enabling the recording of a change in ownership. The objective behind Section 6 of the Act is to ensure that the property belonging to an aided school is not alienated indiscriminately, jeopardizing the future of the students. The Bench also directed the government to reconsider the matter afresh under Section 6 of the Act as well as under Rule 5A of Chapter III of the KER.
