Education – Kerala Marks New Academic Year with Statewide School Reopening Celebrations
Education – Students across Kerala returned to classrooms on Monday as schools reopened for the new academic session, marking the beginning of another academic year with celebrations held across the state. The official state-level inauguration ceremony took place at Pattom Government Model Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram, where Chief Minister VD Satheesan formally launched the reopening program.
Grand Welcome for Students
The event brought together government officials, teachers, parents, and students in a festive atmosphere. Education Minister N Shamsudheen joined the ceremony and extended his wishes to students as they began the new school year.
Speaking during the programme, the minister described the occasion as a memorable milestone in the lives of children. He noted that the reopening day carried a special sense of excitement and enthusiasm, reflecting the importance of education in shaping the future of young learners.
Ministers Assigned District Responsibilities
On the administrative front, the Kerala government also announced a district-wise allocation of responsibilities among cabinet ministers. According to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, ministers have been entrusted with overseeing activities and governance matters in each of the state’s 14 districts.
Under the new arrangement, CP John has been assigned responsibility for Thiruvananthapuram, while Shibu Baby John will oversee Kollam. PC Vishnunath has been given charge of Pathanamthitta, and M Liju will supervise matters related to Alappuzha.
Mons Joseph has been entrusted with Kottayam district, while Anoop Jacob will oversee Idukki. Roji M John has been assigned Ernakulam, and OJ Janeesh will be responsible for Thrissur district.
District Oversight Across the State
The government order further states that Education Minister N Shamsudheen will oversee Palakkad district. PK Basheer has been assigned responsibility for Malappuram, while AP Anil Kumar will supervise Kozhikode.
In northern Kerala, T Siddique has been given charge of Wayanad, Sunny Joseph will oversee Kannur, and KM Shaji has been assigned Kasaragod district. The government said the distribution of responsibilities is intended to strengthen administrative coordination and district-level governance.
Chief Minister Orders Withdrawal of Principal’s Suspension
In a separate development, Chief Minister VD Satheesan directed officials on Sunday to cancel the suspension of a school principal who had been removed from service following allegations linked to a Facebook post.
The principal, S Javad of Attingal Model Higher Secondary School, had been suspended by the Director of General Education on Friday after a complaint was submitted by an individual outside the government system. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, neither the Chief Minister nor his office had filed any complaint regarding the social media post in question.
Retirement Consideration Influenced Decision
Officials noted that the disciplinary action came only two days before the principal’s scheduled retirement. Taking this factor into account, the Chief Minister instructed the concerned authorities to revoke the suspension order.
The decision has drawn attention because of the timing of the action and the government’s intervention before the principal’s retirement. The Chief Minister’s Office reiterated that the complaint leading to the suspension did not originate from the Chief Minister or his staff, prompting a review of the decision and its eventual withdrawal.
The developments came alongside the state’s school reopening celebrations, which marked the start of a new academic year for thousands of students across Kerala.