The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Member quits KER reform panel

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Member quits KER reform panel

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lone United Democratic Front representative in the panel appointed by the State government to amend the Kerala Education Rules (KER), K. Vikraman Nair, has resigned in protest against what he terms the “undemocratic manner” of the panel’s functioning. The panel is headed by the former Chief Secretary C.P. Nair.

Mr. Vikraman Nair, president of the pro-Congress Government School Teachers’ Union (GSTU), alleged at a press conference here on Thursday that his suggestions were ignored while the panel prepared the draft recommendations. This triggered the resignation, he said.

The 12-point agenda of reforms suggested by Mr. Nair, as detailed in a press note released during the press conference, demands that the administrative and academic control of schools be not handed over to local bodies.

The power to grant recognition to, and upgrade, schools should be vested with the government. Similarly, the power to appoint or transfer teachers should not be handed over to local bodies. Officials of the Education Department should continue to exercise those powers, along with that to grant leave.

Mr. Nair said he opposed the formation of people’s committees to control the functioning of schools. The number of annual working days in schools should be 200, he said.

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