The state Cabinet on Wednesday accorded sanction for starting Higher Secondary Schools in 148 grama panchayaths in the state, where the facility is non-existent at present.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told a post-Cabinet media briefing that top priority would be for sanctioning higher secondary courses in government high schools with adequate facilities. In the absence of it, educational institutions under the corporate managements will be considered. Only as a last choice, aided schools will be considered for upgrading as HSS schools, he said.
“In addition to the criteria of absence of HSS schools in a grama pachayat limit, a need-based and area-specific approach will also be there for allotting new schools and courses,’’ he said. The government had declared last year that opportunities to pursue higher studies would be provided to all students who had passed the SSLC examination. The Education Department has been asked to take necessary actions in this regard. ‘’If necessary, new batches or higher secondary schools will be sanctioned in areas wherever there is a dearth of institutions, against demand,’’ Chandy said.
The Cabinet also decided to convene an all-party meeting to take a final decision with regard to the implementation of recommendations made by Kasturirangan Committee constituted to go into the Madhav Gadgil Committee report on the Western Ghats. As per the modified report, the number of villages which are expected to be affected has come down from from 633 to 123. ‘’Even this is very high considering the unique situation prevailing in Kerala. The government will give all help to protect the environment but the recommendations that would adversely affect the people and agriculture cannot be accepted,’’ he said. The govt has accepted the recommendation that there should be a complete ban on mining and other dangerous activities in the Ecologically Sensitive Area, Chandy said.
The government has decided to bear the cost of free electricity given to those consuming less than 20 units per month. Around 23,000 families will stand to benefit from the policy decision. In a notable move, the Cabinet has given nod to start an ayurvedic unit in the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here. The govt has given sanction to allot 5.2 acres of land, under the control of Industries Department, to the Kalamassery Municipality to start a Children’s Science City. 6.64 hectares of land under KSIDC at Cherthala will be handed over to Cherthala District Industries Centre to start a model village.
