Kerala Schools Will Not Teach About RSS Leaders; States Have Authority Over Textbooks, Says Minister Sivankutty

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Sunday that the National Education Policy (NEP) clearly gives states the authority to publish school textbooks, and therefore, there is no reason for concern on this matter.
Speaking amid the ongoing controversy over Kerala signing the PM SHRI scheme, Sivankutty defended the state’s decision and said that many aspects of the NEP have already been implemented in Kerala.
Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Centre, the minister said it clearly states that the state can withdraw from the agreement at any time, provided both parties hold discussions and reach a consensus. If no consensus is reached, Kerala also has the freedom to approach the court, he added.
Reaffirming that Kerala will not move away from the long-standing education policy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Sivankutty dismissed BJP state president K Surendran’s remark that textbooks in Kerala schools would include lessons about RSS leaders. “Such claims will remain only his dream,” the minister said.
Sivankutty also said the issue concerns around 47 lakh students in the state and that the government’s main concern was ensuring that students from poor and marginalised communities do not lose access to central funds.