Student Police Cadet scheme struggles in Kerala schools due to lack of Govt funding

The Student Police Cadet (SPC) scheme, a joint initiative of the Home and General Education departments in Kerala, is facing significant challenges due to lack of government funding. Although ₹10 crore was allocated for the current academic year, no funds have been released, leaving schools struggling to manage expenses or forced to suspend activities altogether.

The SPC scheme operates in 1,040 high schools across the state, requiring six hours weekly for cadet activities. Students are entitled to ₹2,000 for physical training (PT) and khaki uniforms, while ₹8.50 per child is allocated for food during training days. Schools are also expected to organize three to five-day camps during Onam and Christmas holidays and carry out social service initiatives like drug eradication campaigns.

However, the program’s annual cost is estimated at ₹24 crore, with ₹88,000 needed per school for uniforms alone. With no financial assistance from the government, many schools cannot afford these expenses. While some schools managed to organize camps during the Onam holidays using their own funds, most have canceled Christmas camps this year due to financial constraints.

Adding to the burden, schools that purchased uniforms have not been reimbursed, leaving teachers and community police officers in charge of SPC finances struggling to cover costs. The lack of funds for meals during training days has further increased the financial strain.

The government has suggested seeking financial support from local bodies, but schools report that these entities are also hesitant to allocate funds for the program. Teachers are particularly concerned about how to finance the passing-out parade for SPC cadets, as collecting money from students, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, is not a viable option. Without immediate intervention and financial support, the SPC scheme, which aims to foster discipline and social responsibility among students, risks being severely curtailed.