‘SSLC exam questions will be from taught portions only,’ assures Kerala Education Minister

Kannur: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty has clarified that questions for the SSLC examination scheduled in March will be set strictly from portions that have been taught in class.

He made the remarks while interacting with students on educational initiatives as part of the Happiness Festival organised in the Taliparamba constituency in connection with the State Local Self-Government Day celebrations.

Responding to questions raised by Class X student Stella regarding changes in textbooks, the Minister addressed concerns that the complete overhaul of Class X textbooks had created difficulties for students. He said allegations regarding the textbooks were part of a “misleading campaign” being carried out by certain quarters.

On being asked about reducing the trend of students going abroad for higher studies after completing primary education, the Minister stated that Kerala currently has the best education system in India. He added that the General Education, Higher Education and Labour departments are working together to create robust academic and employment opportunities within the state.

He further said that the government is considering introducing mechanisms to secure patents for students’ innovations and would take steps to nurture agricultural interest among children.

During the interaction, Shasa Fathima of Tagore Vidyaniketan, Taliparamba, urged the Education Department to promote interest in agriculture from Class I onwards. In response, the Minister said the next Left government would consider awarding grace marks for interest in agriculture as a subject. He added that relevant lessons are already included in textbooks.

Similarly, when K Diya of Mambaram Higher Secondary School called for stronger measures to promote reading habits at the school level, the Minister assured that from the next academic year, the new Left government would consider awarding grace marks for newspaper reading and book appreciation.

Students also posed questions to MLA M V Govindan, who presided over the function. Deputy Director of Education D Shaini and Taliparamba Education District Officer S Vandana led the interaction. Dr K P Rajesh and P O Muralidharan also spoke on the occasion.