Team Siliconindia

• Kerala Education Minister asserts school hours will be based on academics, not influenced by religious or community organizations.
• Sivankutty cites RTE Act’s 220 working days mandate to justify early school timings, aligning with national and global practices.
• School managements called for a July 23 meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss concerns and clarify the rationale behind scheduling decisions.

Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has made it clear that religious and community organizations have no role in interfering in school affairs, including school hours. Addressing the media, Sivankutty insisted that schooling timings, along with other educational policies, should be determined on the basis of academic and administrative needs not on the convenience of religious or community outfits.

He clearly said that neither he nor the General Education Department had intervened directly to change school timings for the ongoing academic year, but reiterated that any such decisions should prioritize the educational requirement of students. 

"There are too many religious and community organisations in Kerala. We cannot change school or examination timings according to everyone's convenience", Sivankutty said. He quoted instances of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the state, along with school timings in Gulf nations, to place on record that early school timings are not new and generally follow international practices. The minister emphasized that according to the Right to Education Act, there have to be at least 220 working days in a school year a goal that sets the tone for how school timings have to be planned.

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In a bid to resolve the increasing controversy surrounding the new school hours, the minister has summoned school management representatives for a meeting on July 23 in Thiruvananthapuram. The gathering will be conducted in his chamber, where he is set to justify the changes and hear stakeholders out. Just one representative from every school management committee has been invited to attend what promises to be an explanatory and consultative discussion.

Sivankutty's position follows increased public debate, specifically by some community groups, that have raised issues regarding the new timetables' possible impact on daily routines and religious practices. The minister, however, clarified that the government has the duty to ensure a secular and effective educational system in which student learning outcomes take precedence over national academic requirements.