Kerala's NEP Stance: Former Minister Sivankutty Seeks Clarity from Government

The former General Education Minister of Kerala, V. Sivankutty, has called on Chief Minister Satheesan and the current General Education Minister to clarify whether the state will implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, June 26, 2026, Sivankutty argued that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government faces no legal obstacles in withdrawing from the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme.

Sivankutty noted that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had kept the PM SHRI scheme in abeyance during its tenure. “It is not right to proceed with PM SHRI implementation citing legality or precedence,” he said. He emphasized that the state has not received any funds under the scheme and has not begun processes like selecting schools for its implementation. “There is nothing wrong in deciding not to go ahead with the scheme implementation,” he added.

The former minister also disputed claims made by current General Education Minister N. Samsudheen, who stated that the LDF had implemented parts of the NEP by using some NCERT textbooks in higher secondary classes and implementing PM USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) in higher education. Sivankutty categorically denied this, asserting that the LDF government had clearly stated its intention not to implement the NEP.

Sivankutty explained that the PM SHRI scheme is designed to showcase NEP implementation, and he criticized the NEP as reflecting the approach of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) towards education. “The NEP revamps educational practice and structure, paving the way for privatization. For this reason, it cannot be implemented in the state under any circumstances,” he argued.

He highlighted that the LDF government had previously brought out additional textbooks when the Union government attempted to revise history in textbooks. Sivankutty warned that implementing the NEP would wipe out all progressive educational practices in Kerala.

However, when questioned about why the LDF itself did not withdraw from the PM SHRI scheme instead of keeping it in abeyance, Sivankutty admitted that a Cabinet subcommittee formed to study the scheme never met. He did not provide a satisfactory explanation for this inconsistency.

The press conference underscored ongoing political tensions over educational policy in Kerala, with the LDF and UDF taking contrasting positions on the NEP. The state's stance remains a key issue as the central government pushes for nationwide adoption of the policy.