The Save Education Committee has urged the Kerala state government to initiate urgent intervention to address challenges facing the education sector and has sought the appointment of an expert committee to study the impact of policies implemented during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Leaders of the committee met Chief Minister V D Satheesan and submitted a memorandum seeking a comprehensive review of developments in the education sector over the past decade.
Allegations Against LDF Government
The organization alleged that policy decisions taken by the LDF government had weakened the foundations of the 'Kerala model' of education and pushed public education into crisis. The memorandum stated that several government and aided schools are facing the threat of closure despite Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) results recording near-100% success rates. According to the committee, there has been a decline in language proficiency and mathematical skills among students, necessitating a scientific study and corrective measures to restore academic standards.
Criticism of PM SHRI Scheme and FYUP
The memorandum also criticized the previous government led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for signing up for the PM SHRI scheme despite opposition, claiming public dissatisfaction over the move was reflected in the recent election results. The committee further raised concerns over the implementation of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), arguing that the replacement of conventional degree courses such as BA, BSc, and BCom had created serious academic consequences. It sought a detailed study of the impact of the new system and demanded restoration of the traditional degree programmes in a scientific and time-bound manner.
Key Demands
Among the key demands raised were revision of the Malayalam language curriculum to strengthen literacy, ensuring effective mathematics education, restoration of examination and objective evaluation systems, rejection of the Khader Committee report, and reinstatement of a separate directorate for higher secondary education. The committee also demanded that Kerala should clearly declare it would not adopt the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and instead consider implementing the proposed People's Education Policy. It further called for democratic procedures in university appointments, including vice-chancellor selections, and suggested publishing an annual education survey similar to the state's financial survey.
Delegation Details
The delegation that met the Chief Minister included committee President George Joseph, General Secretary E N Shanthiraj, and Vice-President M Shajarkhan.
