'Will develop system to announce rain holidays in advance'; govt considering removing backbench system and allowing colour dress day in schools

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: General Education Minister N. Shamsuddeen said the state government is exploring the possibility of eliminating the back-bench system in schools. Speaking to a media outlet, the minister also said that authorities are considering permitting students to wear coloured clothes in place of uniforms once a week.

"The cyber pledge introduced in schools reflects the changing times. There are many opportunities in the digital world. At the same time, there is a lot to learn about this field, and there are also many risks. The cyber pledge is intended to create awareness and alert students," he said.

"It is not always possible to announce holidays well in advance, as weather alerts and other situations can change unexpectedly. Several academic days are often lost for different reasons, and an effective system needs to be developed to address this issue," the minister said.

Regarding the proposal to allow coloured clothes in schools once a week and remove the back-bench system, Shamsuddeen said these ideas have personal appeal and public acceptance. He said a final decision would be taken after further discussions.

The minister also spoke about the proposal for menstrual leave in educational institutions. He said some students face severe difficulties during their menstrual periods, with some unable to even get out of bed.

"If students with such health issues mention it as a valid reason, it may not always be taken seriously. The proposal for menstrual leave is only meant to provide them with some relief and support. It is not intended to isolate or discriminate against anyone. The new decisions and reforms should be viewed positively," he said.