No Summer Vacation Classes in Kerala: Minister Sivankutty Issues Stern Warning to Schools

Kerala School News: Kerala's General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, has issued a strict order that forbids special classes from being held in any of the state's schools throughout the summer. The Minister emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the Kerala Education Rules and made it clear that students must have a mandatory break from the final working day of March to May. All government, aided, CBSE, and ICSE institutions in the state are subject to this regulation.

The current scorching conditions, which present serious health hazards to youngsters, are the main driving force behind this action. Minister Sivankutty emphasized that it is a violation of kids' fundamental and human rights to make them attend school in such harsh conditions. He made the case that children should have comparable protection for their physical and mental health, drawing comparisons to the new working hours that are now in place for laborers to shield them from the heat. He pointed out that no organization has the power to interfere with a child's right to vacation, citing earlier decisions from the Child Rights Commission and other court rulings. The Education Department has been instructed to keep a tight eye on schools in order to assure compliance, and the Minister has threatened to take severe legal action against any institution found to be in violation.

Key Highlights of the Directive

• Mandatory Break: Summer break is formally defined as the final working day of March to May 31, according to the Kerala Education Rules (KER).

• Universal Application: All schools in the state, including government, aided, CBSE, and ICSE establishments, are subject to the restriction.

• Health Concerns: The Minister stressed that there are serious health hazards associated with the current heatwave. He pointed out that children should have the same protection from the sun if labor laws can be changed to protect workers from it.

• Human Rights: According to the Minister, forcing kids into schools during their break violates their fundamental and human rights and interferes with their mental and physical health.