The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to sanction higher secondary schools in 148 panchayats currently having no higher secondary schools.
Briefing the media, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that higher secondary schools would be sanctioned to existing government high schools in the panchayats on a priority basis. When it is not possible to set up a government higher secondary, priority would be given to schools run by corporate managements. Private individual managements would be sanctioned schools only if both the options could not be exercised.
The Chief Minister recalled that the government had promised last year that all the pupils wishing to continue their studies at the higher secondary level after passing SSLC examination would be provided with opportunity to continue their studies. To fulfil that objective, the Education Department had been asked to take steps to sanction additional higher secondary schools or batches as required. An area wise approach would be adopted for this purpose. Schools or batches would be sanctioned considering shortage of seats and options.
Mr. Chandy said that no-objection certificates would be given for sanctioning of new CBSE schools only on the basis of strict norms set by the State government. The schools should be operational for five years and should have three acres of land. Each class should have minimum of 30 pupils each.
He announced that the government would continue to fund free electricity to consumers using less than 20 units. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission had stipulated that the government should foot the bill for providing free electricity. Accordingly, the government would bear the cost of providing free power to about 25000 families.
He also announced that an Ayurveda wing would be started at the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre. About 5.2 acres belonging to the Industries Department would be handed over to the Kalamassery Municipality for setting up a ‘Children’s Science City’. The KSIDC would provide 6.64 hectares at the Industries Centre at Cherthala for setting up a ‘Coir Village’, convention centre and model village for handlooms, handicrafts and traditional industries.
