30-minute extended class time, rain concern on school reopening day; Edu Minister Sivankutty clarifies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Albeit the QIP meeting decision to increase the class time in high schools by 30 minutes this year (from 9.45 am to 4.15 pm), ambiguity looms over the implementation.

Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that he would discuss the concerns regarding the revised time with the Chief Minister and find a solution. It is highlighted that the different time schedules for LP, UP and higher secondary will torment the overall rhythm including the vehicle arrangement.

Schools in the state will open today, but the distribution of free uniforms to children will be delayed

• The free handloom uniforms provided by the government for classes one to four have not been fully received.
• Administrative approval for the special allowance for distributing uniforms in aided schools has not been received.
• The SSK scheme to distribute uniforms to girls up to class eight and boys belonging to scheduled castes and below the poverty line is also in crisis. The Centre had stopped the funds due to the non-implementation of the PM Shri scheme.

G Sunilkumar, general secretary of the Private Primary Headmasters Association, informed that the money received from the government was insufficient to implement the midday meal scheme. He also feared that the headmasters in schools would yet again face debt if tried to implement the scheme by spending from their own pockets.

The rains in the state have slowly decreased in magnitude while there is concern about the weather turning inclement on Monday, the day of school reopening.