Fri Oct 24 16:35:43 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text followed by a news article based on it:

Summary:

Kerala’s Minister for General Education, V. Sivankutty, has stated that the state cannot indefinitely maintain its opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This shift comes after pressure from the Union government, which threatened action if Kerala didn’t participate in the PM SHRI scheme, which requires states to implement NEP provisions. The Minister acknowledged initial apprehensions about the NEP but stated that the state needed to adapt to global changes in education and signed the PM SHRI agreement to secure funding. The Minister did not clearly respond about why the CPI wasn’t consulted about signing the PM SHRI agreement.

News Article:

Kerala Softens Stance on National Education Policy Amid Funding Pressure

Thiruvananthapuram – October 24, 2025 – The Kerala government has signaled a potential shift in its long-held opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, citing the need to adapt to global educational changes and avoid losing crucial Union government funding.

Minister for General Education, V. Sivankutty, stated on Friday that Kerala could not perpetually maintain its rejection of the NEP. His comments come in the wake of the state signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the PM SHRI scheme, which mandates the full implementation of NEP provisions.

“The education system is evolving worldwide, and Kerala cannot remain isolated from these developments,” Minister Sivankutty said. “Policies have evolved since the formation of the State. We cannot hold on to the same policy throughout. However, it did not mean that the State had changed its stance on the NEP in its entirety.”

The Minister conceded that the state government initially harbored concerns regarding the NEP. He further revealed that the Union Education Minister and Minister of State for Education had warned of “stern action” if Kerala failed to participate in the PM SHRI scheme. In order to not lose the federal funds, the state signed on the PM SHRI agreement.

The shift in stance raises questions about the future of Kerala’s education policy. The Minister did not give a straight answer to why the CPI was not consulted about the PM SHRI agreement. The government’s willingness to embrace parts of the NEP, driven by financial considerations, indicates a significant departure from its earlier position. The details of how Kerala plans to integrate NEP principles while addressing its initial concerns remain to be seen.

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