THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has expressed its disagreement with the recommendation of the Khader Committee report that the school hours should be changed to 8 am to 1 pm in the state. It also took a similar stand on the recommendation regarding the appointment of Headmasters. The party stated that it is impractical to implement both of these now in the face of growing dissent, including from religious minorities.

According to the Khader Committee report, the best time for study is from 8 am to 1 pm. The afternoon hours of 2 to 4 can be used for physical education studies and other activities, the report said. When it comes to the appointment of Headmasters, the report stated that a list of teachers with a tenure of up to five years to retire should be prepared and the eligible ones should be selected on the basis of a special examination. A special committee must interview candidates, and the candidate who performs best should be appointed headmaster. The CPM thinks that Muslim and Christian managements will come up against this when the recommendations are applied to aided schools as well.

The Khader Committee had included the proposals and sent the report to the government even after the CPM state secretariat convinced the committee of its disagreement. Members of the committee include C Ramakrishnan, who was the private secretary when MA Baby was the education minister.