Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is all set to merge various streams of school education by bringing in classes from 1 to 12 under a single directorate.

Education Minister C Raveendranath will call a meeting of teachers' outfits to discuss this on May 27.

The merger proceedings have been delayed due to the election model code of conduct.

The LDF government has given approval in principle for the merger of the directorates of General Education, Higher Secondary Education (HSE) and Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) .

A cell comprising general education special secretary and additional secretary has been tasked to study the recommendations made by Dr M A Khader committee and make plans on executing them. It is now preparing the report.

Based on the report, the government would hold talks with the teachers. After making the necessary changes based on the teachers' inputs, the report will be submitted for the Cabinet's approval.

Joint electoral officer Jeevan K Babu is likely to head the new directorate.

Jeevan Babu, the Director of Public Instruction, was assigned to help the chief electoral officer. He will be back in his department after May 27.

Though the schools would reopen on June 3, authorities are of the opinion that the merger doesn't have to be linked to it. The three directorates will continue to work independently at various locations even post the merger. However, they will function as a single office later on. As the higher secondary doesn't have a permanent director, agriculture director has been given its charge.

Teachers on protest mode

Higher secondary teachers have been on a protest mode as they fear the merger would affect their salaries and promotions.

High school teachers and principals are also wary of the merger.

After the merger, higher secondary principal would head the school, while headmaster would be the vice-principal. One of the contentious points is on the power-sharing between the two.

It is expected that the merger would be completed by the end of the academic year. The committee has also recommended to integrate the examination boards for the SSLC, HSE and VHSE to form a Board of School Examinations.

As per the committee, teachers of class 8-12 should have a post-graduate degree, while teachers of class 1-7 should have a minimum qualification of graduation.