Kozhikode: The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a prominent Sunni scholars’ forum that oversees madrasas across the state, has announced a state-wide agitation against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's decision to extend school hours in institutions following the state syllabus.

Samastha declared it would organise a dharna in front of all district collectorates on August 5. This would be followed by a march to the Secretariat on September 30, intensifying its agitation against the school timing revision. The organisation demanded the government withdraw what it described as a “unilateral” decision.

‘No compromise on madrasa schedule’

General secretary M.T. Abdullah Musliyar told the media, “Samastha will fight until final victory. We are not ready for any compromise.” He said madrasa schedules are strict and cannot be adjusted, and called on the government to engage in serious discussion. “The government must engage in serious discussions and make a well-thought-out decision,” he added.

Rejecting the state’s clarification that the revised timings apply only to high schools, Samastha argued that the decision affects students at all levels. Many high school students attend madrasa classes, it pointed out, and a number of upper primary schools operate jointly with high schools, meaning younger students will also be affected.

Samastha maintained that its president, Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, had earlier submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting the reversal of the decision. However, the organisation alleged that the concerns were not duly acknowledged or addressed.

Samastha reiterated its earlier suggestion that it is possible to increase instructional hours without disrupting madrasa schedules. It urged the government to examine viable alternatives through mutual dialogue.

Timings revised to meet instructional targets

According to the government's decision, the working hours for Classes VIII to X in government, aided, and recognised unaided schools will be increased by 30 minutes daily—15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon—on all days except Fridays. The change is intended to fulfil the requirement of 220 working days and 1,100 instructional hours for Class VIII under the Right to Education Act, and for Classes IX and X under the Kerala Education Rules.