A temporary relief, but solution yet to be found
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It is a relief that the Kerala government has granted 138 additional Plus One batches in Malabar districts, albeit belatedly, short of demand and not on a permanent basis. However, this is still not adequate to address the seat shortage fully. Provisional batches are coming to Malappuram and Kasaragod districts. But, there is not even a single science batch in Malappuram. Kasaragod is to have only one science batch. Kozhikode and Palakkad districts have none. These numbers are enough to show that the problem is not over. Apart from this, the temporary solution has its own drawbacks. Ad hoc systems can affect the quality of teaching. For, temporary teachers, who come and go, do not make solution, but only problem. All this will affect the students. Even in the eyes of the government, they are second-class citizens in the education sector. This time, around 65,000 students in Malabar districts have been given temporary seats. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of the total Plus One applicants in Malabar are thus being relegated to a second grade. Is this the kind of education that the government has reserved for northern districts of Kerala for ever, with mega classes of up to 65 children and with ad-hoc systems through guest teachers? In what sense does Minister Sivankutty say that the government expects the problems related to Plus One admissions to be completely resolved with the arrival of the new 138 (provisional) batches?
Presenting temporary relief as a solution tantamounts to deceiving people. Now, the plus-one students in Malabar are getting temporary batches, temporary solutions. That too after a month since the classes started, each time after the supplementary seat application and after spending time and effort to convince the minister who took the stand, by presenting incorrect figures, that there was no shortage of seats. To get at the figures - which the education department should have been convinced of even earlier - the reports of the regional committee, the study report of the two-member committee regarding Malappuram district and the recommendation of the state committee were gathered. After all this, what was approved was something to the effect of temporary relief. True, even this relief required the minister to give more than usual attention and consideration. Still, it is hoped that the minister and the government will understand that the government was able to allow only a temporary relief. An incomplete and temporary solution is not a solution which is not a matter that arose only this year. The Malabar seat crisis has been going on for a decade and a half. Even if all the seat requirements are met this time (which are still not), the government should not forget that this is only for the time being. Every year, when seats remain vacant in some southern districts, and even children who have secured full A+ in northern districts suffer from mental stress from not getting admission, only to join finally for combinations not of their preference, and only to be one of the 60-plus students of the class, being punished for the government's failure. The first step towards a real solution is for the government and the minister to decide not to repeat this at least next year.
What is required is to allow more regular batches in subjects, including science, in government schools in Malabar districts. The authorities are not ignorant of the fact that there is no other real solution. However, the experience is that whenever the matter is mentioned, figures of finance deficit will come up from the Ministry of Finance. It is those who have no hesitation to spend lavishly on lower priority heads that hold up the issue of cash crunch when it comes to the future of the students. It is the government of Kerala who should solve solve the problems in education in Malabar. At least from now on, it should accord the priority it deserves. Transparency and honesty are other essentials. Even when students and parents complain that there is a problem, the minister is given to coming up up with such figures that would make it appear there is no outstanding issue. Apart from plus one seats, the Malabar region also deserves more in the VHSE, Polytechnic and ITI sectors. Why has the report submitted by the Karthikeyan Nair committee, appointed by the current government to study the matter, not been released? The government, which needs to find a real solution to the problem, should at least stop playing hide and seek and make a permanent solution. Let it be a priority item in government policy and budget, at least from now.
