Mon May 12 09:11:43 UTC 2025: ## Kerala to Challenge Central Government Over Withheld Education Funds

**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala –** Kerala will take legal action against the Union Ministry of Education for withholding ₹1,500.27 crore in funding for state education programs. The funds were withheld due to Kerala’s refusal to adopt the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and sign a memorandum of understanding related to the PM SHRI scheme.

Kerala’s General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, announced the legal challenge following discussions with Tamil Nadu, which shares similar concerns about the NEP. Both states plan a joint legal and policy strategy to protect state rights in education. A meeting between the two states’ education ministers is scheduled in two weeks.

Minister Sivankutty also announced that schools will reopen for the 2025-26 academic year on June 2nd, with the state-level inauguration ceremony taking place at Government Higher Secondary School, Kalavoor, Alappuzha. He highlighted concerns about the low number of annual academic hours in Kerala schools compared to international norms and other Indian states, noting that a government-appointed expert committee has submitted recommendations to address this. All school maintenance and repair work must be completed by May 27th, with a mandatory fitness certificate required for all school buildings before reopening. Special considerations will be given to students with disabilities, and safety measures will be implemented near waterlogged areas.

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