'No need to go to school...' YouTuber sparks controversy in Kerala

Pathanamthitta: A YouTube video advising students to skip school ahead of their final exams has sparked controversy in Kerala’s education sector. The video, uploaded 12 days ago on the channel Eduport, encourages higher secondary students to study at home instead, claiming that attending school wastes valuable study time with exams approaching in March.

The presenter dismisses concerns about attendance, asserting that no school has ever prevented students from appearing for exams due to absenteeism. He advises students to persuade their parents to let them stay home and even suggests that parents inform teachers with excuses, such as their child feeling unwell. 

Additionally, the video undermines the importance of Continuous Evaluation (CE), falsely claiming that the marks have already been submitted to the education department, and discourages students from taking the model exams, set to begin on February 17, too seriously.

In the video, he states, "If you are unsure whether you will actually study at home or just get distracted, try it once with your parents’ support and stay back. Many students themselves feel that going to school and spending so much time there is a waste in these final days when they should be preparing thoroughly for exams."

Teachers across Kerala have strongly condemned the video, labelling it misleading and detrimental to students’ academic discipline. They clarify that CE marks are still being processed and have not yet been finalised.

Deputy Director of Education, Pathanamthitta, BR Anila, criticised the video, stating, “This is an attempt to undermine the education system. Who gave this person the authority to make such claims? A wrong message is being sent to students.”