'Interview for first class admission is child abuse; will not allow commercialisation of education', says Min Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V. Sivankutty said in a press conference that conducting entrance and interviews for first-class admission is child abuse, and the government will not allow education to be commercialised. It has been noticed that parents are also being interviewed.

'Ours is a country where free education is legally available for children from 6 to 16 years of age. It has been noticed that many unaided schools charge huge fees and various other fees and practices like seeking gifts on days like teachers' birthdays. There are also schools that admit Plus One before the SSLC exam. All this is happening because the government has not set a fixed school fee,' said the Minister.

The minister also said that an explanation will be sought from educational institutions that do not comply with the policies of the state and central governments. 'A special system will be set up in the office of the Director of General Education to receive complaints,' he added.