Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Wednesday announced that special classes during the summer vacation will not be permitted in schools, warning of strict action against institutions that violate the directive.
In a statement, the minister said that as per the Kerala Education Rules, the summer vacation for students is scheduled from the last working day of March to May, and this schedule must be strictly followed without exception.
He stated that conducting classes during this period would amount to a clear violation of rules, and action would be taken against schools that do so.
Citing the ongoing heatwave conditions in the state, Sivankutty noted that even revised working hours have been introduced for labourers, and forcing children to attend classes in such extreme weather would violate their fundamental and human rights.
He also highlighted that the intense heat poses serious health risks to children in school environments.
Referring to earlier directions from the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and various court orders, the minister said that no one has the authority to interfere with children’s vacation.
The directive applies to all schools across the state, including government, aided, CBSE, and ICSE institutions.
He further warned that vacation classes could negatively impact the physical and mental well-being of students, and instructed education department officials to closely monitor schools and take strict action against any violations.
With PTI inputs