THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister V Sivankutty reiterated that the schools in the state will open on June 2nd as per the previously planned schedule. Any change in the dates will be made in consultation with the chief minister after monitoring the weather on Sunday. The minister also responded to the change in the high school timetable and he blamed a few teachers' organizations for creating difficulties.

Initially, 110 days and 120 days were planned. The teachers' organizations filed a case claiming the duration to be lengthy.

Later, a commission was appointed as per the court's order. The report given by that commission was accepted by the Department of General Education yesterday.

The minister also clarified that the extra time was added in the morning and evening as per recommendations in the report.

The Education Minister said that the matter will be discussed with those who submitted the report. It has been decided to increase the working hours by half an hour in government/aided high schools in the state in the new academic year. The increase will be 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon.

With this, the new working hours will be from 9.45 am to 4.15 pm. In addition, there will be classes on seven more Saturdays. A total of 205 working days. In UP classes, two more Saturdays have been included so that there are no six consecutive working days, making it 200 working days. In LP classes, there are 198 working days excluding public holidays and Saturdays.