Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the draft National Education Policy aims to replace the 10+2 system with a new radical structure the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has approved the merger of high school and higher secondary schools as per the Dr MA Khader Committee report. Hereafter, the principal would be in charge of Kerala schools with classes 1 to 12 and the academic responsibility of the higher secondary, as per the circular issued on Saturday.
Headmasters of schools that also have higher secondary section became vice-principals from Saturday. Headmasters would continue to lead schools that do not have higher secondary section as per the latest overhaul of the education system.
Meanwhile, political parties, school managements and community organisations are on a war path over the changes.
No more DPI, only DGE
The Director of Public Instruction (DPI), higher secondary directorate, and vocational higher secondary directorate would be merged to form the Directorate of General Education (DGE).
Current DPI K Jeevan Babu has been made the head of the new directorate. However, there would not be any change in the current LP, UP, high school and higher secondary systems of functioning.
The government plans to implement the Khader committee’s recommendations in a phased manner. The DGE has to submit a report on the clearly defined duties and responsibilities of principal and vice-principal.
Headmaster loses power
The high school-higher secondary merger could end up leading to a tug-of-war situation for power between the principal and vice-principal, it is feared.
The post of headmaster would lose its sheen as he/she would now have to work deputy to the principal as vice-principal. High school teachers too would now be promoted as vice-principal instead of the prestigious headmaster post.
Protests lined up
The academic year beginning this week is likely to be tumultuous with teachers and service outfits backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF) protesting the merger.
However, the government contention is that by bringing in classes 1-12 under one system, the coordination would be better.
But the UDF alleged that the move was being implemented hastily due to vested political interests. They said the merger would lead to the collapse of the education system that was functioning properly.
The UDF-backed organisations and certain community outfits plan to move the court against this. The UDF-backed outfits have said that they would not cooperate with school praveshnolsvam, academic and exam duty, and boycott teachers' training.
The opposition outfits plan to hold a general education protection council meet on the evening of June 6, the day of school reopening. Kerala Students' Union (KSU) state president K M Abhijith said his outfit would move the High Court against implementation of the new system.
Managements oppose move
Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G Sukumaran Nair has slammed the government over the merger.
"This is a wrong move by the government. The outfits that have been functioning in the educational sector for decades have the responsibility to oppose the move legally and otherwise. The NSS would back such outfits," Nair said.
He further alleged that the government planned to exert its power over aided sector through such a merger.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) also sought a review of the government decision. "The government should seek opinions and should only implement the report if it was deemed absolutely necessary. The government should give more time," chairman Mar Andrews Thazhath said.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala too slammed the merger, and said, "The Khader Committee report is being hastily implemented without adequate discussions. This would destroy the quality of higher secondary sector and create a divide among teachers. Will strongly fight such a Tughlaq reform."
However, general education secretary A Shajahan said that the new system would improve capability and ensure that the academic activities are carried out duly. After the merger, coordination would be better and the standards would also improve, he said.
School-level changes
• Principal's office would now be the main office.
• For determining the posts for teachers, the number of higher secondary students too would be considered.
Administration-level changes
• Director of General Education (DGE) would be an IAS officer.
• The DGE would be the exam commissioner of SSLC, higher secondary, Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE).
• AEO, DEO, DDE, RDD (higher secondary), assistant director (VHSE) would all report to DGE.
• Till the merger comes into effect, the salary disbursal would follow the current system.
• General education secretary would be in charge of preparing the new special rule.
Draft National Education Policy
The draft National Education Policy seeks to go for an overhaul of the current 10+2 system with a new 5+3+3+4 structure. This was one of the key suggestions made by the Dr K Kasturi Rangan-led committee in his report to Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
The draft policy calls for major changes in the academic system and the mode of teaching. The Right to Education should be made applicable to students aged between 3-8.
The policy also recommends giving more importance to Sanskrit. Students should be taught Sanskrit from a young age, it was suggested.
Fifteen years of school education divided into four stages
Foundation stage (ages 3-8 years): three years of pre-primary, followed by classes 1 & 2.
Preparatory stage/Latter primary (8-11 years): formal induction into academics through class 3, 4 & 5.
Middle stage/Upper primary (11-14 years): classes 6,7 & 8. Science, maths, humanities and arts would be taught
High stage/secondary (14-18 years): classes 9-12.
Each year would be divided into two semesters, with total eight semesters in this stage. Five-six subjects will be taught in each semester. This stage calls for indepth studies.