The Hindu : Plus Two courses for 335 schools

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Plus Two courses for 335 schools

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 22. The Kerala Cabinet on Monday decided to sanction unaided Plus Two courses in 335 aided and unaided higher secondary schools this year.

Briefing presspersons on the Cabinet decisions, the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, recalled that the Government had decided to sanction Plus Two courses both in the unaided and aided sectors.

The Government had received 485 applications for the courses and 335 applicants were found to qualify. Each of them was being sanctioned one batch of 60 students.

Mr. Antony said that the 25 per cent of the seats would have to be filled on merit. The balance would be the management quota. The fee structure would be uniform for all. The Education Department would work out the details.

He said that a committee headed by the Collector in each district did the selection of the schools. Schools, which were found to lack necessary facilities, would be sanctioned courses this year itself if they fulfil the necessary norms.

He said that the courses were sanctioned considering demands from the parents and students. There was little point in opposing unaided schools when the children of prominent leaders, politicians and trade union leaders were studying there.

Replying to a question on the increasing crime rates in the State, the Chief Minister claimed that the situation was better compared to the previous five years. Reduction of political murders during the past year was a notable achievement.

However, the Government viewed the growth of goondas in the State seriously. Tendencies prevalent in North India and Bombay were spreading in Kerala also. The ongoing modernisation of the police was aimed at checking this also.

Mr. Antony said that though the police had sought a change in laws to deal with the situation, the Government had not yet considered the enactment of special legislation to deal with goondas.

Asked about the political patronage of goondas, the Chief Minister admitted that several parties were doing that. This has to change. The Government would not permit the police to be used in aid of activities of goondas or the political parties trying to expand their influence using them.

He said that not only the activists of the National Development Front (NDF) but also the workers of important parties were involved in murders. Some parties even decide the punishment for their opponents and carry it out. This had been going on for some time. Murders, whoever are behind it, would not be tolerated.

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