Thiruvananthapuram: The M A Khader panel on school education reforms, whose report recently received in-principle approval from the state cabinet, has recommended significant changes to the State School Youth Festival, including a reduction in competitive elements. The committee also suggests allowing students to form groups based on ideology, provided they follow well-defined guidelines, to foster healthy student politics.
Key recommendations from the report include:
Eliminating state-level competitions: The panel proposes that all competitive art events should end at the district level. The State Youth Festival should instead be a platform for cultural exchange, free from competition.
Revised competition structure: For primary school students (Classes 1 to 7), the festival should conclude at the local body level. For secondary students (Classes 8 to 12), competitions should be held only at the School Education Office level and the Revenue District level. The current divisions of LP, UP, High School, and Higher Secondary should be replaced with just two categories.
Grace marks and competition: The committee notes that the influence of grace marks has turned youth festivals into mere competitions. While encouragement is important, the current system of awarding grace marks should be reconsidered.
Fixed festival dates: Establishing a specific annual date for the school youth festival could also boost tourism, allowing tourists to plan their visits around the event.
Organizing committee structure: The practice of dividing responsibilities for organizing the youth festival among various teachers' unions should be permanently changed.
Comprehensive participant directory: A directory should be compiled to include details of each student participating at different levels, along with their performance records.
The Khader panel's recommendations aim to reshape the State School Youth Festival into a more inclusive and culturally enriching experience, moving away from the competitive nature that currently dominates the event.
