Kochi: The High Court has overturned the order by the Director of General Education that designated 25 Saturdays as working days to ensure 220 school days in the 2024 academic year. Justice Ziyad Rahman AA ruled that the director did not have the authority to make such a decision, as it is a matter of policy.
The court suggested that any decision on increasing the number of school days should involve discussions with students, parents, and teachers, in line with the Right to Education Act. The ruling came in response to petitions filed by teachers' organisations KPSTA and KSTU, as well as a few students from Palakkad district.
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The 2024 academic calendarproposes 220 working days for classes 1-10. However, criticism was raised that 220 working days for primary classes goes against the norms of the Right to Education Act (RTE).
As per the union Right to Education Act, 2009, 800 hours (160 days) are prescribed for L.P (Lower primary, classes 1-5) and 1000 hours (200 days) for U.P (Upper primary, classes 6-8). Education of classes 1-8 is covered under the Right to Education Act. However, this norm has not been followed in Kerala.
The government’s explanation was that the working days have been implemented as per the KER (Kerala Education rules).
The KPSTA had accused the government of not bringing the provisions of the Right to Education Act to the attention of the court.
Published: 02 Aug 2024, 08:16 am IST
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