Latest news with #Sivankutty
Time of India
4 days ago
- 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No change in revised school timing, says Kerala education minister
Kannur: General education minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday said govt wouldn't make any change in the revised school timings in the backdrop of protests from religious outfits. Speaking to the media in Kannur, Sivankutty said govt would hold discussions with those opposing revised schedules to convince them. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The talks are not aimed at changing govt's decision, but for clarifying our stand. The change in school timing was made based on the Education Act and such a decision couldn't be taken on religious considerations," he clarified. Samastha is free to express its opinion and govt is ready for discussions with them, he said. "Samastha leader Syed Muhammad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal contacted me over phone to express their concerns regarding the matter and talks will be held with them. Someone may have misled Samastha leaders on the matter," he added. Sivankutty criticized governor Rajendra Arlekar over his remarks on the recent 'Guru Pada Pooja' rituals conducted in some schools in the state. "How can the governor support an act which forces children to wash the feet of others? The rituals like Pada Pooja (foot worship) cannot be permitted in a modern society," he said. "Director of general education is investigating the incidents and govt won't allow such practices in schools. As per the Right to Education Act, such practices will be considered mental harassment of students," he added.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sivankutty stands firm on school timings change, slams Kerala Governor for ‘support' of foot worship
Kerala's Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Tuesday said the government will proceed with the revised school timing schedule but that discussions will be held with those opposed to it to explain the rationale and convince them. Speaking to the media at Government guest house here, the Minister made it clear that the discussions are not aimed at reversing the decision. 'The aim is to engage with the stakeholders and clarify the government's position, and not to alter the decision,' the Minister said, responding to ongoing protests against the changed school hours. The Minister said 'education should not be confused with religion', asserting that the government's decisions are guided by the Education Act, not religious considerations. He clarified that the revised school timing was a policy decision made in accordance with the Education Act. 'Samastha is free to express its opinion and the government is open to discussions,' he said. The Minister added that Samastha leader Sayyid Muhammad Al Jifri had contacted him by phone to discuss concerns regarding the change in the timings and conversation would be held. Mr. Sivankutty also suggested that Samastha may have been 'misinformed' about the government's intentions. 'Someone has misled Samastha on this matter,' he said indicating that misconceptions may have fuelled the opposition. The Minister's remarks come amid ongoing debates and objections raised by certain religious and community groups over the shift in school hours across the State. The Minister also strongly criticised the recent instances of 'pada puja' (foot worship) reportedly conducted in some schools and took a swipe at Governor Rajendra Arlekar over the latter's perceived endorsement of such practices. 'The Governor's inclination towards foot worship is now evident. If such acts are carried out under RSS patronage, the schools cannot function legally,' he said. Mr. Sivankutty questioned how the Governor could 'support' making children wash feet, calling it 'unacceptable and inappropriate' in an educational setting. He further accused the Governor of contributing to administrative paralysis in universities, stating that 'the current administrative gridlock is the Governor's doing.'
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala announces longer class hours, working Saturdays for high schools
According to Education Minister V Sivankutty, students in Classes 8 to 10 will now spend an additional 15 minutes in the morning and another 15 minutes in the afternoon on all working days, except Fridays. The academic year will also include six designated Saturdays as class days, bringing the total number of working days for high schools to revised calendar was formulated following a Kerala High Court ruling in August 2024 that declared the earlier version with 25 working Saturdays invalid due to procedural lapses. In compliance with the court's directive, the government constituted an expert committee, which recommended a more balanced approach: limiting working Saturdays to one per month where the minister has asserted that the new timetable is both legal and aligned with national and state education standards, it has drawn criticism from various quarters especially some Muslim organisations like the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama. They argue that the extended hours could interfere with religious education and community schedules. Addressing the concerns, Sivankutty pointed out that several other states, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh already operate on more extended school calendars. He also highlighted that Central Board schools like CBSE and ICSE within Kerala have longer academic hours than the state-run accused opposition-backed teacher unions of politicising the issue. He recalled that during the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) regime, class hours were extended until 4:30 pm based on the Labba Committee's recommendations, without any significant backlash. 'No one protested then—so we must ask what's really behind the resistance now,' he minister reaffirmed the government's openness to dialogue. If there are genuine concerns, we are willing to sit down and discuss them. Any change in education laws must go through the Legislative Assembly—not through court interventions or public outcry,' he updated academic year will consist of 198 working days for Classes 1 to 4, 200 days for Classes 5 to 7, and 204 for Classes 8 to 10. In addition to academics, the calendar incorporates awareness campaigns, cultural events, scholarships, and support for differently-abled students to promote a holistic and inclusive education the controversies, the state government remains firm on its goal to uphold instructional quality while complying with legal mandates.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala to add working Saturdays and longer school days, Minister defends move amid controversy
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, on Sunday defended the state's new academic calendar for 2025-26, which includes longer school hours and select working Saturdays to meet "national and state education standards. " Under the revised timetable, high school students (classes 8 to 10) will spend an extra 15 minutes in the morning and another 15 minutes in the afternoon on each working day-except Fridays-to help schools reach the required 1,100 instructional hours per year. Sivankutty, addressing a press conference, said that the changes will apply across 204 working days, with six Saturdays added as school days for high school students. His statement comes amid growing criticism from Muslim outfits, including Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a prominent body of Sunni clerics, who argue that the extended hours will affect religious education. The minister said the move follows a directive from the Kerala High Court, which ruled in August 2024 that a previously issued academic calendar-which included 25 working Saturdays-was not legally valid as it lacked proper government approval. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The court instructed the state to revisit the calendar, consult stakeholders, and align it with existing laws. In response, the government formed an expert committee, which recommended limiting the number of working Saturdays to one per month, where necessary. For the upcoming academic year, seven Saturdays will be required for high schools to meet the target hours. The current calendar ensures quality education while following the law, Sivankutty said. He pointed out that other states, such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, already have more working days than Kerala. Even CBSE and ICSE schools in Kerala follow longer academic schedules than state schools, he added. "When we look at all the numbers, it raises a genuine doubt whether there is a conspiracy from some quarters to destroy Kerala's General Education Department, which is being seen as a model at the national level and ranks second in the country," Sivankutty said. He alleged that teacher organisations affiliated with the Congress and the Muslim League approached the High Court against the decision to make Saturdays working days in schools. "During the Congress-led UDF government, when class hours were extended from 9 am to 4.30 pm based on the Labba Committee recommendations, no one raised any complaints. There were no disputes or protests then. So, we must question the true intention behind the protests happening now," the minister said. Sivankutty said the government was ready to hold discussions with any organisation. "If anyone wants to change the education laws, it must be done through an amendment in the Legislative Assembly. How can something that doesn't happen in any other state be allowed here to affect our children? If there are any doubts, let us sit down and look into them together," the minister added. He also said the new calendar includes anti-drug campaigns, arts and sports festivals, activities for differently-abled students, and scholarships, aiming to build a strong and inclusive public education system. The academic year will have 198 working days for classes 1-4, 200 for classes 5-7, and 204 for classes 8-10, Sivankutty said. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
