An academic committee will be set up to study aspects related to quality standards of government schools, how to attract more students to them, and the implementation of minimum marks in Class X in the 2026-27 academic year, Minister for General Education V. Samsudheen has said.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Monday, the Minister said the United Democratic Front (UDF) government did not have any plans to overhaul the existing education system. He said its approach was not to change everything that had been implemented. “Changes in the education sector have to be made with care,” the Minister added.

On the government’s plans on complete integration of the school education system as recommended by the Khader committee, Mr. Samsudheen said some of the committee recommendations had been opposed on grounds of impracticality. Even the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had implemented only some of the recommendations, he pointed out.

If any of the recommendations that had been implemented were unscientific or caused hurdles, these would be re-examined and changes made after discussions with the the academic community, the Minister said.

PM-SHRI

The Minister said he had received a report from General Education Principal Secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph on the PM-SHRI scheme, but had not been able to go through it. “We will discuss the report and announce a decision on implementation of PM-SHRI soon,” he said.

On the proposal for introducing colour uniforms once a week, Mr. Samsudheen said students had raised the demand. This too will be implemented only after discussions. Personally, the Minister said, he too was in favour of colour dress once a week since it was students’ wish. The former Minister for General Education too had said the demand would be considered, Mr. Samsudheen pointed out.

The Minister denied there was any going back on the announcement of menstrual leave for schoolgirls. It reflected an empathetic approach to women and schoolgirls, he noted. He called for focussing on the positive side of the proposal since many women and girls experience a lot of physical and mental discomfort during periods, while for others it was not a huge issue.

“Menstrual leave is a relief from work for women, while for students it is a relief from school or college on those days. However, it was likened to a taboo or stigmatisation as in the olden days. Not everyone has to use it. Those who have health issues can avail themselves of this benefit,” the Minister said, adding that the details are yet to be decided.