Kerala Stands Firm on Secular, Progressive Education: Minister V. Sivankutty

Thiruvananthapuram: Preserving the secular and progressive character of education is a core principle of left-wing movements, and Kerala will not compromise on this, Education Minister V. Sivankutty said at a press conference. He added that the state government’s stance on central funding aims to safeguard public education in Kerala, combining administrative responsibility with a firm political commitment.

The minister stressed that funds provided to states under centrally sponsored schemes are Kerala’s right, not charity. These funds are meant for eligible beneficiaries such as differently-abled children and marginalized communities. Seeking and using these funds is both a constitutional duty and a responsibility to the people, he said.

On the PM-SREE scheme, Sivankutty said that even the initial steps to adopt it were guided by the state’s interests, ensuring that only components compatible with Kerala’s education laws and curricula were included. Kerala’s effort to protect public education is not dependent on any single scheme. The state will continue to secure all eligible funds to strengthen this policy, he added.