‘I expressed my personal opinion; I didn't expect so many reactions’; minister on changing vacation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister V Sivankutty said that his proposal to shift annual school vacation to monsoon season is not an official announcement. The minister said that he posted what he felt from his four years of experience, on Facebook. While talking to a channel, he said let the society discuss it.

‘This is not a small issue; this is one affecting about 47 lakh students in Kerala. Children in the coastal areas have difficulty reaching school during the monsoon. I just expressed my personal opinion. When I posted this on Facebook, I didn’t expect so many responses. I received both positive and negative responses. All this will be informed to the chief minister. We will proceed according to his decision,' he clarified.

Due to heavy rains, the school days are reduced after giving holidays in June and July. The minister clarified yesterday that he considered changing the holidays in this situation. There is criticism that eliminating the holidays in April and May will deprive children of opportunities for sports and entertainment and that they will not be able to go out during the monsoon.

The disadvantages of keeping children in classrooms during the summer and the shortage of clean water have also been discussed. Another objection is that school buildings cannot be repaired during the monsoon. There are also parents who believe that it is safer for children to stay at home during the monsoon.