Single directorate for State school education: moots the three-member committee

Thiruvananthapuram: A three-member committee headed by M.A. Khader on Thursday submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan its report furnished with suggestions for improving the quality of education from pre-school to higher secondary in the state.

Tasked by the government, the committee recommended formation of a Kerala Education Service, akin to the Kerala Administrative Service.

Also, it suggested constitution of a Directorate of School Education by merging the Directorate of Public Instructions and Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary Directorates.

Alongside phasing school education into three categories:  pre-school, primary classes 1 to 7 and secondary from 8 to 12, the committee called for a pre-schooling policy.

The report recommended shutdown of unrecognised pre-school teacher training institutes while putting in place a regulatory system comprising government agencies for monitoring the sector.

Following the merger of directorates, each revenue district will have a Joint Director of School Education Office and School Education Office under its ambit.

Alongside, panchayat education officers will coordinate and implement the education projects of panchayats.