Thiruvananthapuram, February 13 Kerala's Minister of General Education, V. Sivankutty, on Friday described senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala's criticism of the early distribution of books and uniforms to school students as a "challenge" to the future of poor children.
Speaking to reporters here, Chennithala questioned the need to distribute books even before the academic year was over, when it was unclear how many students would or would not be promoted to the next year.
"Does Sivankutty decide which students have been promoted to the next class? How can books be distributed to them without deciding or knowing that? What kind of 'Tughlaq reforms' are these? He is trying to show people that books have been printed in advance. Is this the first time books are being distributed in Kerala," he asked.
Responding to Chennithala's remarks, Sivankutty in a Facebook post, said that Chennithala's words were a challenge to the future of poor children, not just a political statement.
He questioned how upgrading government schools to world standards and providing textbooks in advance can be called a 'Tughlaq reform'.
"It is administrative excellence to deliver books and uniforms to children even before the school opens, unlike making students wait for the same even after Onam like in the time of the UDF government," the minister said.
He also questioned whether setting up 7,000 robotic labs in 2,000 schools and teaching modern technology to the children of the poor is a 'Tughlaq reform'.
"Do you (Chennithala) feel uncomfortable when you see these facilities that were only available to the elite being made available to the common man," Sivankutty asked in his post.
The minister contended that printing books before the exam results are out is not a lack of planning, but shows the determination of the government.
"The education department in Kerala does not have Chennithala's political mindset, which is doubtful whether it will win or lose," Sivankutty added in his post and demanded that the Congress leader apologize to the students of Kerala.