ACs, lifts, free excursions, joyful atmosphere: Kerala govt proposals for schools

A set of overhauls in the general education system proposed by the Kerala government included school buildings with mandatory lifts for multi-storey structures, air conditioning in selected rooms, and the mandatory reading of the Constitutional Preamble during assemblies as part of efforts to make students feel comfortable while also inculcating constitutional values in them.

The proposals were discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by General Education Minister V Sivankutty here on Tuesday, where officials were directed to initiate a series of administrative and infrastructural reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the department and enhancing the overall school environment, according to an official release, according to The Indian Express.

Placing strong emphasis on speed and accountability, the government has decided to prioritise the clearance of long-pending files, while a special action plan will be introduced to ensure that new files are processed within stipulated timelines.

The Director of General Education and the Additional Director (General) have been tasked with personally monitoring the progress of file disposal and submitting regular reports to the government.

The meeting also underlined the responsibility of schools in nurturing democratic and constitutional values, and institutions have been instructed to read out the Preamble of the Constitution during special assemblies, a measure intended to familiarise students with foundational principles at an early age.

Infrastructure development formed a significant part of the deliberations, with the government stating that all new school buildings will be designed to ensure basic comfort, including the provision of fans in every classroom and air-conditioning in important rooms.

Lifts will be made mandatory in buildings with more than three floors, while ramps will be ensured to improve accessibility for children with disabilities. Where infrastructure permits, steps will also be taken to move away from the traditional back-bencher seating system.

The minister reiterated that no student should be denied participation in school excursions due to financial constraints, and district-level inspections will be conducted to ensure strict compliance with existing government orders on inclusive participation.

In an effort to create a more joyful and stress-free school atmosphere, students will be permitted to attend school without uniforms on festival days and on their birthdays, while teachers have been instructed to completely avoid accepting gifts from students.

The government also assured that students’ vacation periods would not be disrupted without valid reasons, while internal oversight would be strengthened through the expansion of the vigilance system at the General Education Directorate, with education officers mandated to conduct regular school visits and submit reports directly to the Director, who will brief the minister every month.