A petition has been filed with the Kerala High Court challenging the new academic calendar for 2024–25, which increases the number of working days in aided and government schools from 205 to 220.

The Kerala Pradesh School Teacher's Association, a recognized body representing teachers from various government and aided schools, has submitted the plea.

The plea argues that the Director of General Education issued the order to increase the number of working days from 205 to 220 for the 2024-25 academic calendar without consulting affected parties such as parents and teachers. It contends that the academic calendar was implemented to increase the number of working days without a formal order from either the State Government or the Director. Consequently, the new academic calendar designates 220 working days for High Schools and 195 working days for Higher Secondary Classes, excluding examination days.

The plea also asserts that, according to the Kerala Education Rules, the academic calendar must be issued at least ten days before the start of the school year. However, the 2024-25 academic calendar was released on the first day of school, June 3, 2024.

The plea further mentions that now all Saturdays, except for the second Saturday and those falling within vacations, have been designated as working days. It notes that students typically participate in extracurricular activities such as NCC (National Cadet Corps) and SPC (Student Police Cadets) on Saturdays, which grant them grace marks. Additionally, students often use Saturdays to prepare for various scholarship exams.

The plea contends that the academic calendar was issued without proper consideration and without aligning with the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and the Kerala Education Rules. Furthermore, the plea argues that requiring government and aided schools to have six working days a week is discriminatory, as all other schools operate on a five-day week.

The plea seeks to quash the new academic calendar to the extent that it increases school working days to 220. The plea has been filed by Advocates Tony George Kannanthanam, Thomas George, and Bibin B. Thomas.

Case Title: Kerala Pradesh School Teacher's Association And Another v State of Kerala And Others

Case Number: WP(C) 21811/2024