Majority of New Plus One Batches in Malappuram Allotted to Aided Schools; Government Schools Allegedly Overlooked by League

Malappuram: The UDF government has come under criticism over the allocation of new Plus One batches in Malappuram, with allegations that government schools were overlooked despite the stated objective of addressing the shortage of Higher Secondary seats in the Malabar region.

The government sanctioned 60 new batches in the district. According to the allocation, 48 batches were granted to 46 aided schools, while 12 government schools received only 12 batches.

Among the aided schools, 26 Science, 19 Commerce and 15 Humanities batches were sanctioned. In comparison, government schools received three Science, four Commerce and five Humanities batches.

It has been alleged that institutions managed by those associated with the Muslim League received preferential treatment. These include Cheroor PPTMY Higher Secondary School, managed by a trust headed by Muslim League state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, and Kallingalparambu MSM Higher Secondary School, whose manager is the Muslim League's Tirur constituency president. Both schools were allotted two additional batches each in the Science and Commerce streams.

The order sanctioning the new batches was issued on July 22.

It has also been alleged that after the UDF government assumed office, an MLA was entrusted with coordinating the allocation of new batches and teaching posts in the district. According to the allegations, aided school managements aligned with the UDF and Muslim League were encouraged to submit applications in advance and were informed that new combinations would lead to the creation of additional teaching and non-teaching posts.

Meanwhile, several government schools that had applied for new batches after interference from PTA committees reportedly failed to secure approval, with authorities citing inadequate infrastructure as the reason for rejecting many of the applications.