Even as the state government is approaching the recommendations put forth by the Khader Committee on academic reforms in schools that follow the Kerala syllabus with caution, Prof M A Khader, who chaired the committee, insists that these proposals will need to be implemented, if not today, then in the future. He emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive modernization and bold action. In this interview, the former NCERT Director addresses the criticisms and analysis of the Committee’s report.
Q. The education minister says that several recommendations by the Khader Committee are indeed impractical.
The committee considered how the standard and system of education can be improved. These are changes that can be implemented. Only a comprehensive change will yield the desired results. Any aspects that should be discarded must be addressed, or they will become obsolete. The Minister’s statement that several recommendations are impractical may be influenced by political reasons.
Q. The minister has already declared that the change in school timings will not be implemented. The court has quashed the move to increase working days. Do you think the proposal to avoid declaring holidays for the birth and death anniversaries of eminent personalities is indeed acceptable?
Society has already approved the proposal to change school timings. In all central schools and in the West, classes begin early in the morning. It is not right for the government to dismiss this proposal under pressure. It should also ensure the number of working days as stipulated by the law. We face a situation where more learning days are lost due to unscheduled holidays. The birth anniversaries of eminent figures are meant to honour them. However, most children do not even know who these personalities are. Wouldn't it be more meaningful to use such days to discuss the contributions of these personalities in schools and make it an opportunity for children to learn about their achievements?
Q. The government says there is a constitutional barrier to leaving the recruitment in aided schools to the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The report only suggests that recruitment for positions in which the government pays salaries, including in aided schools, can be left to the PSC. This proposal is based on complaints that recruitment in aided institutions does not follow the norm of reservation.
Q. The teachers' unions are asking what is the benefit of merging the High School and Higher Secondary classes at the academic level?
The merger was proposed as a solution to address issues arising from having different authorities for various directorates under a single department and within a single school campus. Teachers' unions seem to misunderstand this initiative as a threat to teaching positions. However, there is also a proposal to limit the number of students per class to 35, which would, in turn, create more vacancies. Additional teaching posts have been suggested to facilitate promotions as well.
Q. What are the concerns regarding the proposal to change teachers' qualifications?
To raise the standard of education, teachers must take responsibility for student outcomes. If a student fails an examination, it reflects the teacher's failure as well. The aim is to ensure children receive a solid knowledge base by appointing highly knowledgeable teachers to higher standards. Consequently, there is this proposal to raise the qualifications required for school teachers. Teachers at the pre-primary level should hold at least a postgraduate degree, and from the secondary level onwards, specialized teachers should be appointed.
Q. What is your opinion on the decision to set a lower passing mark of 30% for written examinations starting from the eighth standard?
There is no need to criticize this decision. In fact, it could be a positive change if implemented effectively.
