Thiruvananthapuram: After a two-month summer break and days of concern over monsoon rains, schools across Kerala reopened on Monday, 2 June 2025. More than 36 lakh students returned to classrooms across 12,948 institutions in the government, aided, and unaided sectors.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the state-level Praveshanolsavam—Kerala's school reopening festival—at Kalavoor Government Higher Secondary School in Alappuzha. General Education Minister V Sivankutty presided over the function, which was live-streamed to schools statewide. District-level inaugurations were led by respective ministers and collectors.

Approximately three lakh children began their first day of school in Class 1, officially entering the education system. The festival included grand welcoming arrangements for these newcomers across schools.

Despite earlier concerns that rain might delay the reopening, clear weather allowed the new academic session to begin as planned. However, exceptions were made in rain-affected areas: in Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha and Purakkad panchayat of Ambalappuzha, local authorities declared holidays due to schools being used as relief camps. These schools will hold their Praveshanolsavam celebrations once normalcy is restored.

The 2025–26 academic year also marks several changes. From next year, the minimum admission age for Class 1 will be set at six years. High school classes will now run from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and the automatic ‘All Pass’ system for Classes 5 to 9 has been discontinued.

The Kerala Education Department has emphasised the importance of turning the reopening day into a celebratory and inclusive event, reinforcing a welcoming and joyful start for every student in the state.