Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty prohibited schools in the state from conducting entrance examinations for Class 1 students. Calling the practice “child cruelty”, he said strict action will be taken against schools conducting entrance exams and parents’ interviews for Class 1 admissions.
The minister said there were a few institutions in the education sector that were running with business in mind.
“There is also an interview for parents after entrance exams (for Class 1). The mother is studying hard to crack this interview. None of this is acceptable. We are now thinking about not teaching any academic-related portions for Class 1 students. No entrance and no textbooks. Let the child come to school happily. Let the child understand the environment and our Constitution. Let them understand those values they should know as growing citizens,” he said.
He also added that it was a violation of the Constitution and a child’s rights when the child’s admission to Class 1 is rejected.
Sivankutty also raised concerns regarding the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fees in schools.
“Whether it’s government or private schools, they should charge only Rs 25, Rs 50 or Rs 100 as PTA fees for each class. It has come to my notice that there are institutions charging up to Rs 5,000 as PTA fees. We will initiate stringent action against such schools. Such PTAs won’t be allowed to function here,” he added.
On January 31, the Minister directed the Director of General Education to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the January 15 suicide of a 15-year-old boy. The boy’s family claims he killed himself due to excessive ragging and bullying at school.