Thiruvananthapuram: Even as there is a shortage of teachers, the state government has issued strict instructions that no other subjects may be taught during the arts and sports periods allocated for Classes 1 to 12. The directive follows an order from the Child Rights Commission.

In July, Commission member Dr F Wilson issued an order pointing out that diverting arts, sports and work-experience periods to teach other subjects goes against the curriculum approach. Acting on this, the Director of Public Education has now instructed headteachers accordingly. Education officials must ensure the directive is properly implemented.

In the new curriculum, arts and sports education ranges from Lower Primary to Higher Secondary. In Primary classes, learning is integrated with play. In Upper Primary, three periods a week are required, in Class 8, two or three periods, in Class 9, two periods and in Class 10, one period.

However, teachers frequently use these periods to teach other subjects. To satisfy education officials, schools began preparing two different timetables—one showing arts and sports periods as required, and another for teachers that omit them. Highlighting this malpractice, L Sugathan, a teacher from Poruvazhy in Kollam submitted a complaint to the Child Rights Commission.

Books and periods exist—but no teachers to teach

Although periods and textbooks are available, the real issue is the lack of teachers. There are only around 2,000 physical education teachers, and fewer than 1,000 arts and work-experience teachers.

Arts and sports education has been made compulsory in all schools except Primary, with fixed weekly periods. Accordingly, 7,100 schools require arts and sports teachers—but more than half of these schools have none.