Overview
- The State Curriculum Steering Committee, represented by Education Minister V Sivankutty, approved SCERT’s draft on classroom and schoolbag reforms.
- The plan calls for a shift away from row-based seating to eliminate the backbench concept and promote equal attention for all students.
- Measures to reduce schoolbag weight will be developed using a scientific approach that considers students’ physical fitness.
- The draft has been posted for public consultation on the SCERT website, with teachers, parents, students, and others invited to submit suggestions by January 20.
- Kerala aims to implement the changes from the next academic year starting June 2026, and the state remains among six yet to adopt the age‑six rule for Class 1 under NEP 2020.