Kerala Class 11 admissions from June; mid-day meal breakfast scheme may expand

NEW DELHI : Kerala is likely to start Class 11 admissions in June and classes for these students are likely to start from July onwards, general education minister V Sivankutty said during a meeting with district education officers across the state on Friday.

The minister also said that the education department is working with local self government departments to increase the number of schools giving breakfast along with lunch as part of the mid-day meal scheme. Currently, 2,400 schools out of the 12,037 schools are providing breakfast with the midday meal scheme.

The meeting was held prior to the school reopening in Kerala from June 1.

The minister instructed schools to complete cleaning of school water tanks and wells by May 30 with the help of the parents teachers association. He said that school textbooks will be officially released on May 25 and will be available with all the district hubs within May 27. So far, 82 percent of textbooks have been printed, the education minister said.

Mid-day meal scheme cooking cost increase

The minister also said that the government is discussing a proposal regarding cost increase in the mid-day meal scheme. He said that the department has given honoraria to mid-day meal cooks and helpers till February and that partial honoraria have also been released for March. In March, mid-day meal workers and school principals had protested against the government for not releasing funds on time.

Education minister V Sivankutty also said that the education officers should ensure that files are moved quickly to ensure that the fundamental needs of the people are met.

“I realise from the complaints I receive that most education offices are riddled with corruption and delays. Many files are stuck in the AEO, DEO, DD offices. Files are not moved for petty reasons and fundamental rights are denied. The officers who are found to indulge in such activities will face harsh consequences,” said the minister.

The minister also said that school offices should function till 5 pm and that the principals have to ensure that all landlines are working.