Plea In High Court Challenges Increased Work Days For Kerala Schools

The plea has been moved by the Kerala Pradesh School Teacher's Association, a recognized association of teachers of various government and aided schools.

The matter will be heard by Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. tomorrow.

The plea stated that the Director of General Education had passed the order enhancing the number of working days from 205 to 220 for the 2024-25 academic calendar without hearing affected parties like parents or teachers. It is submitted that the academic calendar was issued to enhance the number of working days without passing a formal order by the State Government or the Director. Thus, as per the new academic calendar, High School has 220 working days and 195 working days for Higher Secondary Classes, excluding examination days.

The plea also states that the academic calendar has to be issued per Kerala Education Rules at least ten days before the commencement of school year. It is stated that the 2024-25 academic calendar was issued on the first day of school, that is, on June 03, 2024.

The plea further states that now all Saturdays other than second Saturdays and Saturdays falling within vacations have been notified as working days. The plea stated that students have to attend extra-curricular activities like NCC, SPC (Student Police Cadets) on Saturdays that grant them grace marks. It is also stated that students prepare for various scholarship exams on Saturdays.

The plea thus stated that the academic calendar is issued without proper application of mind and without considering the scheme of the Central Act in Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and Kerala Education Rules.

Further, the plea states that making 6 working days a week in government and aided school is discriminatory since all other schools only have 5 working days a week.

The plea thus seeks to quash the new academic calendar to the extent to which it has enhanced school working days to 220.

The plea has been moved by Advocates Tony George Kannanthanam, Thomas George and Bibin B Thomas.

Case Title: Kerala Pradesh School Teacher's Association And Another v State of Kerala And Others

Case Number: WP(C) 21811/2024