Thiruvananthapuram: Crticising the practice of conducting entrance tests by some schools for admission in Class 1 Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Sunday that the state government will not allow it in Kerala. While speaking during a programme here, the minister said it is the time when everybody mulls whether even examinations are necessary for first-standard students, PTI reported.
"Some schools conduct entrance tests and interviews for the admission of students in the first standard. I would like to say here that it won't be allowed at any cost," Sivankutty said.
Referring to the recent ragging cases reported in some schools, he said though they were small and isolated incidents, they brought shame to the state in general.
Steps would be taken to regulate such practices in the future, the minister added.
In the case of a YouTuber allegedly encouraging students to avoid attending school, claiming it would be a "waste of time", ahead of public examinations in March, the Kerala General Education Department has taken legal steps against a YouTuber who. Education Minister V. Sivankutty announced on Wednesday that a formal complaint had been filed with the police regarding the matter.
According to the minister’s office, the YouTuber’s content urged students to stay away from school, prompting immediate intervention from the Director of Public Instruction. Subsequently, the Deputy Director of Education in Pathanamthitta lodged an official complaint with the district police chief, seeking action against the content creator
Minister Sivankutty also reiterated the importance of school attendance, stressing that meeting the required attendance criteria is mandatory for students to be eligible for examinations. The government has made it clear that any attempt to mislead students or discourage them from attending school will be dealt with seriously.