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Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty said the planned 25 percent reduction in the Class 10 syllabus will not affect core content and aims to reduce academic stress on students.
V Sivankutty clarifies Class 10 syllabus cut will not affect core content. (Representational/File Photo)
Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday clarified that the proposed 25 percent reduction in the Class 10 syllabus will not affect core or essential portions of school textbooks.
The clarification came amid concerns from students, parents, and sections of the academic community that trimming the syllabus could weaken academic standards. Sivankutty said such fears were unfounded and assured that any changes would be carefully planned.
“Reducing content load does not mean removing core or essential portions of the syllabus. The exercise is aimed at avoiding repetition and ensuring that only age-appropriate learning content is included at each level,” Sivankutty said.
He added that the same approach would be followed while reviewing the SSLC-level syllabus and stressed that reducing exam-related stress among students remains a key focus of the state government.
The minister’s statement comes a day after he announced that the Class 10 syllabus would be reduced by 25 percent from the next academic year, following repeated complaints from students about heavy academic workload. He had said the state curriculum committee had already approved the decision and that the basic structure of textbooks would remain unchanged.
The announcement was made at a public function in Thevalakkara in Kollam district. At the event, Sivankutty, along with Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal, handed over the keys of a newly built house to the family of Mithun, a student who died after being electrocuted at Thevalakkara Boys High School last year.
The house was built by the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides without collecting money from students. It was completed within six months at a cost of Rs 20 lakh. Sivankutty described the effort as a model and humane intervention and said it reflected society’s responsibility towards children.
Meanwhile, the General Education Department has also started work on wider reforms to make schools more child-friendly. A draft report proposing lighter school bags and classrooms without ‘backbenchers’ has been approved by the State Curriculum Steering Committee.
The proposals, prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training, aim to “democratise classrooms” and improve student participation, the minister said. The department plans to roll out these changes from the next academic year after reviewing public feedback.
“These steps are meant to ensure the happiness of children and create a more inclusive learning environment,” Sivankutty added.
February 02, 2026, 17:19 IST
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