Latest news with #Samastha
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No change in Kerala government's decision to increase school timings: Minister Sivankutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government's decision to increase school timings by half an hour in the high schools will remain unchanged, General Education Minister V Sivankutty clarified on July 25. The Minister who held a meeting with representatives of various aided management associations, said the majority of them supported the decision to increase school timings by 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon. "However, if any groups still have issues with the revised timings, it can be discussed in the next academic year," Sivankutty told reporters. He was referring to the opposition of the Muslim organisation Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama towards the reform as it affects madrassa education of students belonging to the community. During the meeting, Samastha representatives proposed an increase in school timing by half an hour in the afternoon session only. However, the government turned down the suggestion. The government responded that the revised academic calendar has already been introduced in schools based on directions of the High Court and further changes to it in this year was not possible.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
School working time: Min to hold meeting today
T'puram: General education minister V Sivankutty would hold a discussion with school management representatives on Friday regarding the revised school working time schedule. He is holding the meeting in view of the protest raised by Muslim religious outfits and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) against the changes in school timing. Sivankutty, who initially blamed the high court for the revised time schedule introduced in schools this year, however, frequently changed his stance later. He initially said that the govt had no plans to introduce changes in the working time post haste but the HC wanted the changes to be implemented this year itself or else the general education principal secretary would be summoned to the court to explain the reasons. The minister, who was apologetic about govt's decision to extend the class timing by 15 minutes each in the forenoon and afternoon, later assumed a rigid stance, saying that state govt cannot fix school timing as per the wishes of religious organizations. Muslim religious organization Samastha EK faction president Jifry Muthukkoya Thangal was the first to protest against the change in school timing. He gave a letter to the chief minister, requesting a revisit of the decision as the change in school timing would affect Madrassa education for Muslim students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Other Muslim organisations and the IUML later raised the same demand, forcing the state govt to hold discussions. A seemingly recalcitrant Sivankutty, however, still claims that the discussion with Muslim bodies would be to educate them about why it's not possible to retract the changes in the school working schedule. However, Muslim religious organizations, especially Samastha, said they were hopeful of convincing govt why current changes were causing inconvenience to madrassa education. One of Samastha's suggestions is that instead of adding 15 minutes each to morning and afternoon sessions, the schools should work for 30 minutes extra in the afternoon session. The meeting with school management representatives, including the representatives of religious bodies, is scheduled to take place here at 4.30pm.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kanthapuram faction not to back stir against additional school hours
At a time when the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama led by Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal is all set to launch an agitation against the additional instructional hours in State syllabus schools claiming that it will affect those studying in madrasas, the Samastha faction led by Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar has sought to distance itself from the protest. A.K. Abdul Hameed, secretary of the Sunni Educational Board of the Kanthapuram faction, told the media on Saturday that the issue could be sorted out through talks with the government. He said that the group had expressed its concerns over the additional hours impacting madrasa studies to the government. Mr. Hameed said that Mr. Musliyar had contacted both Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and General Education Minister V. Sivankutty. 'We will offer our suggestions during the proposed talks with Mr. Sivankutty,' he added.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Samastha proposes holiday cuts, shift change
Kozhikode: Samastha said it will present alternative proposals before general education minister V Sivankutty when he meets its representatives to discuss the ongoing controversy over revised school timings. Samastha will ask him to extend school hours till 4.30pm instead of starting classes 15 minutes earlier in the morning. Samastha is likely to argue that this would be a more practical adjustment. At present, under the revised schedule, schools function from 9.45am to 4.15pm with 15 more minutes added in the morning and evening sessions. Sources said that if this is not acceptable to the govt, Samastha will ask it to reduce the number of holidays granted for festivals or readjust the annual vacation to ensure that the mandatory 1100 academic working hours are met. Earlier, Sivankutty had contacted Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, expressing willingness to hold discussions. But he also made it clear that the govt will not change the new timings. But IUML questioned the purpose of the upcoming meeting with the minister saying that the govt's firm stand left no room for a dialogue. "What is the relevance of such a meeting when the minister has declared that there won't be a change in school timings," asked IUML state general secretary PMA Salam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo On Tuesday, Samastha's joint coordination committee and its affiliated organizations had decided to intensify protests if the govt did not take a favourable action on its school timings demand. In June, govt had issued an order extending the timings of Classes VIII to X in govt, aided and unaided schools under the state syllabus by 15 minutes in morning and afternoon sessions, except Fridays. The change was incorporated to meet the target of 220 working days and ensure 1100 instructional hours as stipulated by the Right to Education Act and Kerala Education Rules.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will intensify protest if no positive response from Kerala govt: Samastha
Kozhikode: The joint coordination committee of Samastha and its affiliated organisations decided to intensify protests if state govt failed to take favourable action on its demand for a rethink on changes in school timings. The committee which met in Kozhikode said extension of school hours by half-an-hour adversely affected madrasa education. Samastha had earlier submitted a memorandum to chief minister, requesting a reconsideration of the revised schedule. It said education minister V Sivankutty contacted Samastha president Syed Muhammad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal and expressed willingness for a joint discussion on the issue. "Samastha will present practical suggestions during the talks. If govt fails to respond positively, all units under Samastha will join together to intensify the agitation," said M T Abdulla Musliyar, convener of the coordination committee. "Govt said there was no going back on the decision. Govt represents the people and it must take decisions considering public sentiment. When we speak of religion, it is education and when we speak of education, it is religion. Education is the lifeline of Islam and it cannot be set aside," he added. Earlier, Samastha secretary Umar Faizi Mukkam flayed Sivankutty's remarks and said that Samastha and Muslim community were a significant section in the state and no govt should be under the impression that they could go ahead by sidelining the community. Samastha mushavara member Bahauddeen Nadvi, Matha Vidhyabhyasa Board manager K Moyinkutty, NAM Abdul Khader, Abdussamad Pookkottur, Naser Faizi Koodathai, Abdul Hameed Faizi Ambalakkadavu, among others spoke.
