Plus One seats may be increased: Discussion with student organizations tomorrow; SFI on strike

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Since even those who secured high marks in SSLC are not getting admission to Plus One in Malabar region and student organizations have intensified their protests, the government has moved to solve the problem by increasing seats in schools. The problem is acute in Malappuram district.

Education Minister V Sivankutty will be holding a discussion with student union representatives tomorrow. Student organizations and aided school management are demanding fresh batches. Government wants to increase seats only in government schools. The Chief Minister has intervened in the matter. A decision will be taken taking into account the suggestions given by the Chief Minister to the Education Minister and the opinions that will emerge in tomorrow's discussion.

The minister responded to the media that he cannot give an answer on the issue of upgrading high schools to higher secondary. The ruling party MLA Ahamed Devarkovil also put the government on the defensive in the Malappuram seat controversy. Ahamed Devarkovil said in the assembly that although the government intervention is effective, there is a shortage of seats and the problem should be resolved.

SFI went on strike after the opposition student organizations and it was a setback for the education department. They marched to Malappuram Collectorate today. The Education Minister's response was that he does not know how much the SFI had understood the matter.

KSU Education Bandh tomorrow

State President Aloshious Xavier has announced that KSU will hold a state-wide educational bandh tomorrow in protest against the police action against the strike. An indefinite strike will commence if the problem is not resolved. KSU also marched to Kollam Collectorate today. MSF, Harita and Fraternity organized a march in Malappuram. Police stopped MSF activists from entering the Malappuram RDD office. The Malappuram-Perinthalmanna road was blocked under the leadership of the Fraternity Movement. The police arrested and removed the MSF leaders who blockaded the Deputy Director of Education in Palakkad.

Shortage of 7,478 seats in Malappuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V Sivankutty informed the Assembly that only 17,298 applicants are left for Plus One admission in Malappuram. There are 9,820 seats remaining and a total shortfall of 7,478 seats. There are 10,185 vacant seats in unaided schools. There were a total of 82,466 applicants in the district. Of these, 7,606 were from outside the district and 74,860 were from within the district. 4,352 of those who applied in the district got admission in other districts.