Vacation classes

#Vacation_classes.

The directive from Kerala's Minister for General Education, V Sivankutty, to state syllabus schools to avoid vacation classes raises questions about the government's interference in educational affairs that are strictly personal and private. While the minister cites complaints from parents and students as the basis for this directive, his lack of control over CBSE/ISC schools, due to a court order, adds complexity to the situation. 

This differential treatment between state syllabus and CBSE/ISC schools raises concerns about fairness and transparency in educational governance.

The suspicion arises from the lucrative nature of the entrance coaching industry in Kerala, which is worth millions of rupees. Entrance coaching centres rely on schools being closed during vacations to attract students for additional coaching. The directive to avoid vacation classes could potentially benefit these coaching centres by limiting competition from schools. The lack of clarity surrounding any potential deals between the Minister and coaching centres fuels speculation about ulterior motives behind the directive.

To address these concerns, transparency is crucial. The Minister's office should provide clarification regarding the reasons behind the directive and address any suspicions of collusion with coaching centres. Additionally, stakeholders, including parents, students, and educators, should be included in discussions about educational policies to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of students.

- K A Solaman