Kerala 'School Kalolsavam' a Celebration of Secularism and Diversity: Education Minister V Sivankutty

Thrissur: Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the Kerala School Kalolsavam is not merely a festival but a grand celebration of secularism and diversity. He was speaking while presiding over the inaugural function of the 64th State School Kalolsavam at the main venue, Suryakanthi, at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur.

The minister said Kalolsavams are not just competitions but platforms for cultural exchange. By including indigenous art forms, the festival has been made more inclusive and people-oriented this year. He urged parents to help children face defeats with smiles and to avoid excessive competitive pressure.

This year’s Kalolsavam has been envisioned as a “Responsible Kalolsavam”, organised as a plastic-free and junk food–free model festival. Children should learn that accepting defeat gracefully is the true meaning of success, he added.

Sivankutty said it was a matter of pride that over the last nine and a half years, the government has invested 900 crore rupees to modernise schools and revise the curriculum in tune with the times. Several initiatives have been planned to ensure students’ mental well-being and right to play, including the Naranga Mithayi programme, reducing scolding and academic burden, eliminating digital addiction, and introducing six thematic weeks. These initiatives will help children grow into better human beings beyond textbooks, he said.

The minister clarified that the Education Department believes vacations should be enjoyed as vacations, and regular classes during holidays should be discontinued. Instead, arts and sports training camps will be organised for students during vacation periods from next year. Gradually, every student will receive training in at least one discipline. The government will also improve and construct playgrounds in schools, similar to the development of international-standard school buildings.

The shortage of arts and sports teachers will be addressed. The distinction between front-bench and back-bench students will be abolished permanently. The academic burden will be reduced, with 25 per cent of syllabus content restructured without compromising learning outcomes. As the existing examination system causes mental stress, the government will study global models and implement a less stressful evaluation system.

More scientific methods will be introduced to assess learning levels of children from pre-primary to Class 4. A new scheme will be launched to announce school-level excellence in arts, sports, and academics, similar to the SSLC results. The top three schools will receive the Chief Minister’s Gold Cup, along with development grants of 5 lakh rupees, 3 lakh rupees, and 2 lakh rupees, respectively.

Kerala has achieved significant milestones in the education sector, the minister said. The state ranks in the top category in the National Achievement Survey and has successfully implemented subject minimum standards. Textbook revision from Classes 1 to 10 has been completed and distributed on time, with Class 10 textbooks reaching students even before the end of Class 9. Plus One and Plus Two textbooks will be revised next year.

When the central government removed important history lessons, Kerala became the only state to introduce alternative textbooks incorporating those portions and conduct classes accordingly. Though the central government has withheld 1,065 crore rupees meant for Kerala’s students, the state government will ensure that children do not suffer any disadvantage, Sivankutty said.