Kerala’s General Education Department has announced a significant shift in the 2025–26 academic calendar for Classes 8 to 10, introducing longer school days and six working Saturdays to meet the Right to Education mandate of 1,100 instructional hours annually. In response to a Kerala High Court directive, the revised schedule adds 15 extra minutes to both morning and afternoon sessions (excluding Fridays), extending daily classroom time by 30 minutes. The calendar now includes 204 working days for high school students, while lower and upper primary levels will have 198 and 200 days respectively, with limited or no Saturday classes.
While the move aligns Kerala with educational standards in states like Gujarat and Delhi, it has sparked opposition from Muslim religious groups and IUML leaders, who argue that the extended hours and Saturday classes interfere with madrassa education. These groups have announced protests and called for broader consultation with stakeholders.
Defending the decision, Education Minister V. Sivankutty emphasized the importance of academic consistency and holistic development. He highlighted that the calendar supports not just academics but also extracurricular growth through arts, sports, and anti-drug campaigns. The plan was shaped with input from an expert committee, which scaled back an earlier proposal of 25 working Saturdays to a more manageable six.
As debates continue over religious accommodations and policy transparency, Kerala stands firm in its effort to balance legal obligations with quality education delivery.
