Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, the state known for its lowest dropout rate in government schools in the country every year, is likely to see the 'highest' dropout rate this year.
Two lakh students in all government schools in Kerala have not turned up in schools since June. Parents and educationists blame the inclusion of the state's communist party history in the syllabus last year. But the education minister says the syllabus will not change.
"What I want for my child is a national, wider and standardised syllabus rather than so regional," said Mini John, parent.
That is the sentiment most parents whose children study in government schools are feeling. Eleven girls have been absent since day one of the academic year in class 8 of a government school in Thiruvananthapuram.
More than two lakh students are absent of the total 44 lakh in government schools since June. The blame in most cases is on their textbooks.
The Social Sciences book of class VIII for instance has seven chapters in all, and six of them is about the state's history. The peasant movement in Kerala and Bengal regions extends into two chapters. Excerpts from top communist leaders' autobiographies fill a few pages.
"Whether the methodology adopted prepares a student to face competitive exams is the question parents are thinking. It is a temporary setback," said Mohammad Haneesh, Dir Pubic Instruction.
While educationists welcome inclusion of state history, the criticism is that history books modified by this government is almost imposing an ideology in the young minds.
When asked if the government would re-look into the syllabus, Kerala Education Minister M A Baby said there was no need of it.
"A scientific re-look is already done and the changed Kerala syllabus is a result of highly qualified, competent academicians," said Baby.
Will the books of history change the present and future of education in a state which so far has had the lowest dropout rate and highest literacy rate in the country?