Kerala schools reopen after summer vacation with revised textbooks, evaluation system

Ernakulam: Schools in Kerala reopened on Monday after a two-month-long summer vacation with the State government conducting 'Praveshanolsavam' for students who begin their new academic year. Unlike previous years, there has been significant changes this year with revised textbooks and answer sheet valuation system.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the state-level school 'Praveshanolsavam' at Government Higher Secondary School, Elamakkara, here.
V Sivankutty, Minister for General Education, presided over the programme with Minister P Rajeev, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, and other people's representatives as special guests in attendance.
This year, 2,44,646 children are getting admission in Class 1 across the state.
The new academic year has also started with revised textbooks for Classes 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. These revised textbooks contain chapters that promote gender equality. The textbooks have been revised after a gap of ten years.
Another change starting this year is the requirement for minimum marks in all subjects for the Class 10.
The minister also stated that the requirement for minimum marks in all subjects for Class 10 would be implemented. Continuous assessment will no longer involve grading on a curve. This also indicates that 100 per cent pass rates should no longer be expected.
The requirement for minimum marks in Class 10 was discontinued in 2005 in the state.
The government has also decided to end the practice of "all pass" for Classes 1 to 9. Under this, no student would fail up to class 9. But now it will change, with both studies and examinations to be conducted more rigorously, according to Education Minister V Sivankutty.