To ensure wider public participation, the draft report will be placed in the public domain for feedback.
Published Jan 09, 2026 | 3:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 09, 2026 | 3:28 PM
School students. (Representational/ iStock)
Synopsis: The reports prepared on the basis of this study were discussed at the Steering Committee meeting held on Thursday, 8 January, and subsequently approved in draft form. To ensure wider public participation, the draft report will be placed in the public domain for feedback. It will be uploaded on the SCERT website, and teachers, parents, students and the general public can submit suggestions and comments until 20 January.
Kerala has moved a step closer to implementing two major reforms in public education—reducing the weight of school bags and creating classrooms without “back benchers”—with the State Curriculum Steering Committee approving a draft report on the proposals.
General Education and Employment Minister V Sivankutty said the recommendations aim to bring qualitative changes in schools by ensuring the physical and mental well-being of children and promoting a more democratic and inclusive learning environment.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training ( SCERT) had earlier been tasked with conducting a detailed study on the proposals.
The reports prepared on the basis of this study were discussed at the Steering Committee meeting held on Thursday, 8 January, and subsequently approved in draft form.
To ensure wider public participation, the draft report will be placed in the public domain for feedback.
It will be uploaded on the SCERT website, and teachers, parents, students and the general public can submit suggestions and comments until 20 January.
The General Education Department plans to implement the proposed changes in the upcoming academic year, incorporating relevant feedback received during the consultation process.
According to the Minister, the initiatives are expected to make Kerala’s schools more child-friendly, participatory and democratic.
In August 2025, General Education Minister V Sivankutty had announced that the state is taking steps to eliminate the concept of “backbenchers” from school classrooms.
Earlier, some schools in the state had do away with the concept of backbenchers by redesigning the bech-desk arrangements.
Then came the release of the film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan which further triggered a slew of discussions on the backbenchers concept and its effect on students.
