Kerala Education Reforms: Overhaul of School Teaching Posts and Bureaucratic Structure

In a sweeping move aimed at transforming the education sector, the Kerala government is set to implement substantial reforms based on recommendations from the Khader committee report. The proposed draft law introduces significant changes, including the elimination of the ‘high school’ category. Instead, high school and higher secondary will be merged into a unified ‘Secondary school,’ encompassing classes from 8 to 12.

One key aspect of the reform is the introduction of Panchayat education officers for academic supervision of primary schools, covering classes up to the 7th standard. This move emphasizes decentralized administrative control for improved oversight at the grassroots level.

Under the new system, teachers will no longer be appointed exclusively for high schools, and the distinction between junior and senior posts in higher secondary appointments will be removed. Teachers appointed in the merged secondary section will be responsible for classes 8 to 12. The reform mandates Post Graduation and professional qualifications for recruitment, raising the educational standards for teaching positions.

For recruitment in classes below the secondary level, candidates must hold a degree and possess professional qualifications. Additionally, teacher recruitment for classes 5 to 7 will be based on subjects. The proposed categorization includes five types of teachers: pre-primary, primary, secondary, work education, and specialist teachers.

To avoid disruptions for existing teachers, the implementation of these reforms is scheduled to take full effect from June 1, 2030. The teachers and officers of the DPI Higher Secondary and VHSE departments will be divided into two categories: Kerala General Education subordinate service and Kerala General Education state service. Amendments to the Kerala Education Rules (KER) will be introduced to facilitate this change in the aided sector. The comprehensive overhaul is expected to reshape the landscape of education in Kerala, emphasizing quality and professionalism in teaching.