State project director of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Dr.B.Vijayakumar passed away here on Monday following a brief illness. Dr. Vijayakumar had been hospitalised for the last one week. He breathed his last at 12.30 pm on Monday.
Dr. Vijayakumar who had doctorates in Education and Chemistry had contributed to the general education and higher education sectors in Kerala over the last 30 years. He was the founder director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kerala State Open School and State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT). He also headed the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education under the University of Kerala and the Academic Staff College.
Dr. Vijayakumar was member of the South Zone Committee of National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) as well as of standing committees under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In 2006, he was awarded meritorious service entry by the University of Kerala.
A native of Nedumangad, he is survived by his wife and three children. The funeral will take place at the Thycaud crematorium at 9.30 am on Tuesday.
In his condolence message, Education Minister M.A.Baby said Dr. Vijayakumar had played a key role in streamlining the activities of SSA- Kerala and getting it recognised at the national level.
Calling the “untimely death” of Dr. Vijayakumar “a great loss for the State,” Mr. Baby also recalled the contributions made by him to the development of new educational tools and techniques in Kerala.
The Kerala State Teachers Association has also expressed grief over the demise of Dr. Vijayakumar.
