Stalement in HS sector issue: LDF members walkout in Kerala Assembly

Alleging stalemate over 'plus-one' admission process in Higher Secondary sector, LDF Opposition members in Kerala today staged a walkout in the Assembly even as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy assured the House that seats would be ensured for all qualified students.

Intervening on a notice seeking adjournment motion on the problems, including deadlock in admission and delay in distribution of textbooks in the higher secondary sector, Chandy said textbooks would be supplied to all students within two weeks.

On Opposition protest over the change in the school time table setting five-day classes with changes in daily working class hours, Chandy said it was introduced based on a study report.

"Certain practical difficulties have been pointed out and government will examine the issue and make necessary changes," Chandy added.

Replying to the notice, State Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb said government has taken a decision to increase the plus one seats by 20 per cent in all government schools.

Government had earlier decided to allot new batches and new higher secondary schools in panchayats where there were no such schools, but it could not be implemented due to a court stay on the issue, he said, adding, so government decided to increase the seats.

There was shortage of about 90,000 seats in the plus-one courses in the state this year and this would be resolved by allotting new seats, he said.

Seeking leave for the motion, E K Vijayan (CPI) alleged complete chaos in education sector, especially in higher secondary field.

Distribution of textbooks, uniforms, midday-meal schemes were all in doldrums, he said, adding "this was mainly due to lack of social commitment and lethargy on the part of the government and education minister."

He also alleged that government was deliberately weakening the government schools with a view to helping private unaided schools and also 'guide lobby' in the state.

With Speaker G Karthikeyan disallowing leave for motion, LDF members led by their leader V S Achuthanandan trooped out.

Achuthanandan said the new initiatives in the education sector were like 'Tughlak reforms' and alleged that the education department in the state has virtually become inefficient.