Plus one seat shortage; 222 temporary batches proposed by V Karthikeyan; government concealed report to sanction only 138 batches

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prof V Karthikeyan committee report had recommended 222 provisional batches to solve plus one seat shortage. 39 batches without children were also proposed to be transferred to areas where there are fewer seats. However, the government had not released the report submitted on May 17, 2023.

It came out along with a reply to Manjalamkuzhi Ali's question in the Assembly. It was recommended that 96 temporary batches be allotted in government schools and 126 in aided schools. 120 temporary batches were allotted in Malappuram and 18 in Kasaragod when the student unions went on strike.

50 students in a batch

The committee also recommended tightening the rule of not exceeding 50 students in higher secondary batches. Enrollment by increasing seats will reduce the quality of general education. It will cause overcrowding of children in the classes. 50 in one batch was proposed to be implemented in all districts as structural changes and consolidation of general education were implemented under the new curriculum.

The committee recommends single window admission to 50 per cent seats in unaided schools.