Kottarakkara: With the Kalolsavam 2025-26 just months away, schools across Kerala have started mandatory coupon collection from teachers and students to support the state’s annual cultural festival.

The coupon rates for contributions are:

  • LP & UP Teachers: ₹200
  • High School Teachers: ₹300
  • High School Headmasters: ₹500
  • Higher Secondary & VHSE Teachers: ₹400
  • Higher Secondary Principals: ₹500
  • Students (Classes 9-12): ₹50

The coupons, labelled "School Festival 2025-26", have been distributed in schools.

Higher secondary students, who already pay ₹50 for Kalolsavam and ₹75 for sports as part of their special fees at the start of the academic year, now have to pay in addition to these existing fees.

Currently, coupon collection accounts are only reported at district levels, leaving higher officials without a full understanding of the funds collected. Despite special monitoring squads and a court order prohibiting mandatory contributions, schools continue to collect coupons.

Many class teachers have expressed unease, suggesting that either the coupon system be scrapped or the existing special fees be increased instead.

Local fundraising also supports Kalolsavam

From the sub-district level onwards, Kalolsavam organising committees also conduct local fundraising, with some committees involving political leaders and accepting donations from wealthy residents and merchants to make the festival grand.

Why is coupon collection necessary

According to Kollam Deputy Director of Education (DDE), K.I. Lal, government funding alone is not enough. 60 % of the coupon collection is used for sub-district events and 40% for the district Kalolsavam. Government aid for sub-district events is less than ₹2 lakh, which barely covers the food committee’s expenses. At the district level, ₹24 lakh is provided, but the food and program committees alone require ₹10 lakh each. There are around 12 committees in total.