Overview
- Education Minister V. Sivankutty confirmed the decision and directed officials to sign the agreement, with Revenue Minister K. Rajan noting the matter was not placed before the Cabinet.
- Kerala maintains it will not implement National Education Policy provisions it has rejected, even as it seeks withheld funds needed for salaries, student grants, textbooks and hostel support.
- CPI leaders objected that the move is politically and fiscally unsound, the Congress alleged a CPI(M)–BJP understanding, and ABVP welcomed the reversal after months of protests.
- Officials caution that releases are likely in tranches and contingent on the state’s 40% share and timely utilisation certificates, leaving the timing and total inflow uncertain.
- Under PM SHRI, about two schools per block are selected for upgrades averaging ₹1 crore a year for five years, and the shift follows recent meetings between Kerala leaders and Union officials.