Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad opposes plan to introduce uniform Kerala Studies course
The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu over the introduction of a common curriculum on Kerala Studies in universities.
In a memorandum jointly issued by KSSP general secretary P.V. Divakaran and president T.K. Meerabai, the organisation opposed the proposed plan to prepare a common curriculum across all universities based on a book published by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
Outlining its demands, KSSP stated its opposition towards a unified curriculum or textbook-centric approach for Kerala Studies. Such a stance could undermine the academic autonomy and restrict the ability of universities to reflect regional, cultural and historical diversity of their syllabi.
It also stressed that the curriculum should go beyond tracing the conventional span of the State from its prehistoric hunter-gatherer roots to the Renaissance movements, and must include narratives of progressive democratic movements, the communist movement and the formation of modern Kerala.
The move to rope in a private firm to publish the textbook has also come in for criticism. Calling the decision a violation of established academic procedures, the organisation demanded the restoration of due academic processes involving the Board of Studies and Academic Councils.
Citing that most universities have already developed Kerala Studies content, KSSP urged the government to allow the statutory bodies of universities to independently refine these modules in consultation with the KSHEC, rather than imposing centrally produced content.
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