Much like their peers in higher secondary schools in the State, vocational higher secondary students can now hope for a break from their exacting school schedule.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the General Education Secretary and the Vocational Higher Secondary Director to take steps to effect a change in the timings of vocational higher secondary schools from the coming academic year keeping in mind the interests of students.
The commission called for a relook at the present curriculum if need be.
The commission directive comes on a complaint from a few students of Keezhvaypoor Vocational Higher Secondary School that classes were being held on Saturdays for the vocational higher secondary section though the number of working days for higher secondary schools had been brought down to five a week.
The commission said that studying eight-and-a-half hours a day for six days a week had an adverse effect on the mental and physical health of students.
The General Education Secretary had submitted a report to the commission that the present curriculum did not allow for a change in the timings. However, requirement, rights, and practicalities of students should be kept in mind by those drawing up the curriculum.
The General Education Secretary and the Vocational Higher Secondary Director had the responsibility to ensure this was possible, the commission pointed out.
