KOZHIKODE: The Director of Public Instruction does not mind subjecting schoolchildren to the rising temperature, whereas the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) is lenient. The result is a clash between the two over conducting summer classes by the schools.
The KeSCPCR in a circular said that action would be taken against schools that function during summer vacation. However, the DPI in its latest circular has permitted high schools and higher secondary schools to conduct classes while directing lower and upper primary schools not to function. Hence, the schools have ignored the KeSCPCR direction and started classes to complete the portions soon.
“It was in the wake of a complaint received by KeSCPCR from a few parents in Kollam district that a decision was made to direct schools in the state not to function during April and May owing to the high temperature,” said Child Rights Protection Forum member Naseer Chaliyam. “It was a reasonable appeal from the parents not to allow their wards to travel to schools and sit in the classroom for hours in the scorching summer. But the DPI has allowed schools to conduct special classes during May with special permission from the DPI,” he added.
At the same time, deputy director of education department Gireesh Cholayil said that for years schools have been conducting special classes during summer to finish the portions and start revision.
Hence, when schools demanded, the DPI decided to allow schools to take special classes but directed the students not to travel between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. owing to the high temperature, he added.
