Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced that undergraduate degree education in government arts and science colleges will be made free. The decision was revealed as part of the state budget presented by the Finance Minister in the Assembly.
At present, free education in Kerala is provided up to higher secondary level. With the new proposal, students pursuing degree courses in government colleges will no longer have to pay tuition fees. The move is aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and encouraging more young people to continue their studies after school.
The budget also gives importance to social welfare and development. More funds have been set aside for youth programmes, housing schemes and support for vulnerable communities. The government said education remains a key priority and that investing in students is an investment in the future of the state.
Officials said detailed guidelines on how the free degree education scheme will be implemented will be released soon. These will include information on eligibility, the colleges covered and the starting date of the policy.
The announcement has been welcomed by student groups and education supporters, who see it as a major step towards equal access to higher education. Many families hope the new policy will help more students complete their degrees without dropping out due to financial difficulties.
The government said the budget reflects its commitment to strengthening public education and ensuring that higher studies remain within reach for all sections of society.