“Tughlaq Reform” Remark: Chennithala Targets Kerala Government’s Timely Textbook Distribution

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala’s criticism of the Education Department’s decision to distribute textbooks for the next academic year before schools reopen has drawn strong reaction, with his remarks being viewed as an attempt to undermine a major administrative achievement.

Chennithala termed the early distribution a “Tughlaq reform” and questioned how textbooks could be supplied without knowing whether students would pass to the next class. He also asked whether providing books in advance could be presented as a government achievement and whether textbooks had not been distributed earlier in the state.

The criticism comes despite the fact that during the UDF government, when P K Abdu Rabb was Education Minister, students in several schools did not receive textbooks even months after the academic year began. That period had seen widespread complaints from parents and teachers over delays in book distribution.

In contrast, during the past 10 years of the LDF government, textbook distribution has been completed on time every year, ensuring that students are not put to hardship. This time, the books are being supplied three months ahead of the academic year so that students can begin classes without delay or uncertainty.