Kerala minister defends signing of PM SHRI MoU

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala general education and labour minister V Sivankutty defended signing of the PM SHRI agreement between CPI(M)-led LDF govt and Centre last week, stating central funds couldn't be abandoned as it would affect about 47 lakh students. The minister said funds were being collected without compromising on Kerala's educational tradition, and the state would decide the curriculum and prepare the textbook. According to the MoU, it can be withdrawn at any time, Sivankutty added. "Kerala will not teach about RSS leaders - that's merely K Surendran's dream. Kerala is a state that has released alternative textbooks. The central funds cannot be abandoned.

Legal advice was sought before signing the MoU. More details are not being disclosed right now," Sivankutty said. The minister said the first instalment of the SSK fund will be received soon. Funds would only be received post-signature, but nothing related to the scheme would be implemented in Kerala, he added. Union education secretary Sanjay Kumar clarified Kerala had agreed to sign the MoU in March 2024. PM SHRI scheme does not mandate implementation of the NEP-recommended syllabus as it is, Kumar said.

The agreement - signed Oct 16 - triggered political wrangling, with CPI alleging it had not been consulted. CPI's K Prakash Babu questioned the silence of CPM general secretary M A Baby. Congress MLA V D Satheesan demanded an explanation from CM Pinarayi Vijayan on what prompted the U-turn after the latter's Delhi meetings.