Kerala to reduce Class 10 syllabus by 25 per cent, says Education Minister Sivankutty
Kollam (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday said that the syllabus in Class 10 textbooks will be reduced by 25 per cent from the next academic year.
The minister was addressing students after handing over the keys of a house constructed for the family of Mithun, a student who died after being electrocuted at Thevalakkara Boys High School here last year.
Sivankutty said students frequently complain about the heavy academic workload, and considering this, the state government decided to take necessary steps.
"In next year’s school textbooks, 25 per cent of the syllabus will be reduced from what exists in the current books. The curriculum committee has already approved the decision," he said.
He clarified that the textbooks' content would not be altered.
Mithun had died after accidentally coming into contact with an electric line near the school premises.
The key-handover ceremony for the newly constructed house was jointly carried out by Sivankutty and Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal.
Earlier in the day, Sivankutty wrote on Facebook that Mithun had dreamed of a good house for his family and had even drawn the dream home on the walls of their small dwelling.
"Today, that dream stands fulfilled with the completion of a new house named ‘Mithun Bhavanam’, though the absence of the child continues to cause deep sorrow," the minister said.
He praised the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides for taking the initiative to fulfil Mithun’s wish.
Without collecting any money from students, the organisation constructed a 1,000-square-foot house within six months at a cost of Rs 20 lakh, he said, calling it a model and humane intervention, he said.
"The house stands as a tribute to the boy’s memories and a reminder of our collective responsibility towards children and their dreams," Sivankutty added.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
