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Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has not held back criticism of what he described as attempts to saffronize the education sector in the guise of bringing in the National Education Policy (NEP).

His remarks came in the wake of the row surrounding the 'Jnan Sabha' programme, a convocation for higher education which was held in Ernakulam. The function was convened by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, an organisation belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had attended.

The admission of five vice-chancellors from Kerala universities into the program infuriated the minister severely. "The news that the vice-chancellors of five universities in the state are participating in the program with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at its head is highly disturbing. Universities should be independent and unbiased," Sivankutty said.

He advised that educational institutions not be politicized, saying, "Using institutions that should concentrate on academic excellence and research for political purposes will have far-reaching implications."

The minister emphasized that the education sector should not be brought under the influence of the dictates of any one ideology or political agenda. "Attempts to place the education sector under the domination of any particular ideology or political agenda are unacceptable under all circumstances. Education must be accessible and secular for all," he declared.

Sivankutty also expressed dismay over attempts by certain organisations to politicise education policies for their agendas. "It is distressing that certain organisations are attempting to twist education policies in line with their interests."

Reaffirming the position of the state government, the minister said, "The state government remains committed to safeguarding the general education sector and the higher education sector in Kerala. The government is keen on having an education system that holds fast to the basic principles of the Constitution and democratic values."

He concluded by saying that the Kerala people will resist any effort to impose ideological control over education. "The people in Kerala will take all necessary steps to resist and vanquish the saffronisation attempts and maintain the secular character of the education sector."

New admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have fallen to the five-year low, revealed numbers put in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Numbers presented by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to MPs BK Parthasarathi and Sudha R were new entries, 1.95 lakh in 2020-21, dropped to 1.83 lakh in 2021-22 and then to 1.58 lakh in 2022-23.Although it increased to 1.75 lakh in 2023–2024, it dropped to a pathetic 1.39 lakh during the current academic year (2024–25).

The overall number of pupils registered in India's 1,280 Kendriya Vidyalayas fell from 13.88 lakh in 2020–21 to 13.5 lakh this year throughout this period.

Originally established for the children of transferable central government officers, Kendriya Vidyalaya is one of India's most renowned government schools.

Incidentally, falling enrollment continues to be the Centre's bane as it approved, in December 2023, the establishment of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas. The schools, along with an extension to one already existing KV at Shivamogga, Karnataka, will come up at a cost of almost ?5,872 crore.

Budgetary spending to KVS, however, continued to increase; the estimates rose from ?6,437.68 crore in 2020-21 to ?8,727 crore in 2024-25.

Union Education Ministry also issued a caution recently regarding falling admissions in government schools in general. Previously, while deliberating on the PM-POSHAN (midday meal) scheme in this year, States and Union Territories were requested to inquire into the cause of falling enrollment at the primary and upper-primary level in 23 subjects and submit a comprehensive report.

The state government has redesigned the house uniform given to the students at elementary level under Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM Shri) and Gangadhar Meher Sikhya Manakbrudhi Yojana. The identity card given to the Class I to VIII students will be also updated from the existing academic calendar.

Sources also informed that the current logo 'Ame Gadhibu Nua Odisha' of green colour, has now been modified as 'Bidyavant Vidyarthi, Bikashit Odisha' with orange, yellow and red shades. The same would now be printed on the house uniforms and caps given to the primary and upper primary students.

Besides this, the students will also receive redesigned identity cards in orange color, having information such as name, class, date of birth, roll number and contact details.

According to the letter that the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has sent to all district education officers (DEOs), the newly redesigned students' kits to be distributed among students will consist of a T-shirt, track pants, cap, shoes and two pairs of socks. `500 per student has been sanctioned for this purpose.

The house system has been implemented in government and government-aided schools from 2023 academic year with the aim to develop team spirit, healthy competition and to generate the sense of belongingness among the students. The attire for the system consists of T-shirts of four hues - red, yellow, green, and blue - and blue track trousers.

During the last academic year, the state government has replaced the colour of school uniforms for students of Class IX and X. There was a mixture of light brown, chocolate and clay baked yellow colours introduced for the students to replace a mixture of green and white, which supposedly conformed to the colour code of BJD's party symbol

Class 10 students in Karnataka don't have to worry anymore! Karnataka School Examination and Evaluation Board (KSEEB) has reduced passing marks of SSLC from 35% to 33% with the objective of easing pressure on the students and achieving more pass percentages.

As per the new rule, the students now have to obtain at least 206 of 625 (internal and external exams) to pass. There is a catch, however â€" they also have to obtain at least 30% of all the written exams of the subjects, i.e., 24 of 80 marks.

This amendment, as part of the draft Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (Amendment) 2025 rules, was released on July 25, 2025, in the state gazette. The rule is expected to become gazetted after 15 days' objection period during which parents, teachers and the general public can provide their comments.

WHAT'S CHANGING IN SSLC PASSING RULES?

Decreased passing marks from 35% to 33%

Minimum 206 out of 625 marks to qualify

30% marks as a minimum in the written test in all subjects

Transition becomes active from the academic year 2025–26

The transformation is made according to the recommendation of KSEAB so that it can be at par with the level of CBSE. The government did not, however, implement the recommendation of cutting down the total marks in the first language subject from 125 to 100 and overall stands at 625.

School management associations welcomed the new regulation in a positive manner but sought clarifications on passing marks at the subject level.

The amendment would enable more backward and rural students to pass the SSLC exam with minimum quality standards, officials said.

While Marathi is being taught at community schools in the United States, Maharashtra IT and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has said the state government would provide official support towards this end.

MEETING WITH BAY AREA MANDAL

In a recent trip to San Francisco's Bay Area, Ashish Shelar met with members of the Maharashtra Mandal, an organization that runs some such schools.

These schools, run by volunteers from among Marathi speakers' diaspora communities, instruct children in non-India the Marathi language and courses in culture, history, and people's traditions.

The Bay Area school, begun in 2005, now has about 300 students enrolled.

In the US as a whole, there are over 50 Marathi schools operating on similar lines with community but not State support.

The members of Mandal presented a brief at the meeting that official recognition, common curriculum, examination pattern, and recognition would enhance the quality of instruction and ease administration.

Official certification would enable more parents and volunteers to join in, they further added.

GOVERNMENT ASSURES COOPERATION

To that, Mr Shelar said he would take the issue to table with School Education Minister Dada Bhuse and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He assured the delegation that the Maharashtra government would provide full support.

This would include access to curriculum materials, letters of support from the government, and other papers which could allow such schools to operate and gain legitimacy.

The visit is a recognition of greater attention to the contribution that diaspora communities can make towards retention of regional languages and cultures.

Though such schools are not part of any kind of network of schooling, their contribution to retention of linguistic heritage outside the country is significant.

With this promise given by the minister, family schools and volunteers now look forward eagerly to action.

Such assistance, if undertaken, would give order to their activities and assist in providing long-term sustainability for Marathi language learning by the diaspora.

After a roof gave way in a government school in Rajasthan's Jhalawar, killing seven students on Friday, the Union Ministry of Education has sent a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to obtain a safety audit of all schools.

All public and private schools where children and young people go to school should be subjected to safety inspection to the national standards of disaster management and safety. The stability of structures, protection against fire, access and exit routes, and electric installations have to be inspected extremely carefully," the Ministry statement affirms.

The governments have also been instructed to give training in emergency readiness to students and employees, including evacuation drills, first aid, and safety measures.

"Any dangerous situation, near miss, or accident involving potential harm to adolescents shall be reported within 24 hours to the concerned State or UT authority. Firm responsibility shall be vested for delay, neglect, or inaction," the release added.

Education departments and school boards were asked to "act without delay" so that these measures are implemented.

A senior Ministry of Education official said that apart from Friday's incident in Rajasthan, the other recent incidents — such as a part of a classroom ceiling collapsing in Madhya Pradesh and the collapse of the school building roof in Jharkhand — led to the communication with States.

States and UTs were also asked to promote school-going children's emotional well-being by establishing counselling facilities, peer support systems, and community outreach. "Parents, guardians, community leaders, and local bodies should be motivated to keep vigil and report risky situations at schools, public venues, or transportation used by children and adolescents," said the Ministry's release.

Friday's tragedy in a government school at Jhalawar district's Piplodi village killed seven students and left eight others critically injured. The State government suspended five teachers and even ordered an inquiry.