Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Education Minister V. Sivankutty has ignited a political and communal storm with his firm stance that no exemptions will be granted to any group regarding the state’s newly revised school timings. His comments come in the wake of escalating protests from several quarters most vocally from Islamic organizations concerned that the early school hours are in direct conflict with madrassa education, which typically takes place in the morning before regular schooling begins.
The Minister categorically stated that free or special educational provisions will not be extended to any particular community, stressing that the government’s priority lies in ensuring academic uniformity and discipline across the state. “There is no reason to be confused or disheartened,” he said. “The state’s educational framework must serve the best interest of all children, regardless of background.” His statement has been perceived by critics as both rigid and dismissive of cultural and religious sensitivities.
One of the strongest responses came from the Samastha Kerala Sunni Vidyabhyasa Board (SKSVB) and the Samastha Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulama, who together oversee nearly 11,000 madrassas in the state, educating over 1.2 million students. Leaders from these bodies argue that the new school schedule gravely affects the ability of children to attend religious instruction classes, and that the decision was made without consultation or consideration of Kerala’s long-standing pluralistic educational traditions.
In response, Samastha has announced a statewide agitation, beginning with district-level dharnas on August 5, culminating in a mass protest march to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on September 30. The organization has also launched an extensive awareness campaign, mobilizing students, parents, and community leaders to resist the school timing changes, which they claim amount to an “attack on minority educational rights.”
Adding to the controversy, Suprabhatham Daily, the mouthpiece of Samastha, published a scathing editorial accusing the Opposition parties of silence, implying that they are either indifferent or complicit in the government’s alleged undermining of religious education. “Where is the opposition voice when a segment of the population feels betrayed?” the editorial asked, suggesting that this silence may damage the credibility of parties that claim to stand for secularism and minority protection.
Meanwhile, government sources maintain that the revised school timings are part of a broader educational reform aimed at improving student performance and aligning academic hours with national standards. The Education Minister has pointed out that individual schools already have the autonomy to adjust internal schedules, and that religious institutions are free to restructure their own programs without expecting concessions from the state system.
This isn’t the first time Kerala has grappled with such a debate. A similar proposal introduced during the 2006–2011 LDF government was eventually withdrawn following public outcry, particularly from religious groups. Many now wonder if history will repeat itself.
As the deadline for full implementation of the new school schedule approaches, the standoff between the government and religious organizations appears to be hardening, potentially turning into a larger battle over the future of education policy in a state renowned for both its literacy rates and its religious diversity.