Thiruvananthapuram: The Education Department of Kerala has ordered that school trips be organised in a way that even children who are financially struggling can also participate. Restrictions have also been imposed on collecting money for personal celebrations like birthdays. The instructions were issued as a circular for the New Year as per an earlier announcement by Minister V. Sivankutty.

The schools should not be collecting a large sum of money from children for school trips. The management should levy an amount that will be appropriate for all students. No kid should be left out due to their financial differences. Teachers should take special care when they are taking children for trips free of cost, and should keep it confidential from other students. The children should not be charged for the expenses of teachers and PTA members accompanying them either. 

Expensive personal celebrations like birthday celebrations of teachers, staff and students in schools should be avoided as much as possible. If such celebrations are held, it must not affect parents or children.

These conditions are also applicable to CBSE and ICSE schools.

There have been complaints that large sums of money are being charged for study trips and that children who do not contribute enough are being left out. There have also been complaints that some schools are even collecting money to give teachers birthday gifts.