Kerala Govt Rejects Mix of Religion and Education, Says Minister Sivankutty

The Kerala government has taken a firm stand against the inclusion of religious teachings within the formal school curriculum. State Education Minister V Sivankutty recently made it clear that education in Kerala will remain strictly secular. He stated that any effort to mix religion with school education would be opposed by the government, regardless of who initiates it. This statement came in response to recent incidents that raised concerns about certain schools or organisations allegedly promoting communal ideas through textbooks or informal content.

I’m writing about this issue because it touches upon a very important aspect of modern education—whether it should remain neutral and inclusive, or tilt towards particular ideologies. In a state like Kerala, which is known for its high literacy rate and diverse communities, the separation of religion from education is not just a policy issue but a question of preserving harmony. It is important that schools continue to be safe, inclusive spaces where children are taught facts, values, and skills—not religious dogma or sectarian ideas. Minister Sivankutty’s statement is a timely reminder that public education should stay rooted in constitutional values.

Government’s Clear Stand on Secular Education

Minister V Sivankutty said that the education system in Kerala is built on a foundation of secularism and scientific temper. He stressed that:

No textbook or learning material should contain religious content unless it’s part of a neutral academic study
Any school that violates this principle will face strict action
The aim is to ensure that children are not influenced by any form of religious bias during their formative years

He also noted that the state’s curriculum is reviewed thoroughly through bodies like SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), which ensures that no unapproved or non-academic content slips into classrooms.

Trigger for the Statement

The issue came into focus after reports surfaced that a private organisation had included communal content in materials provided to children. This sparked criticism from parents, teachers and education activists, who raised concerns about maintaining Kerala’s secular tradition in schools. Minister Sivankutty responded firmly, stating that the government is keeping a close watch and won’t tolerate any breach of educational ethics.

What the Constitution Says

According to the Indian Constitution:

Article 28 prohibits religious instruction in educational institutions funded by the state
Article 30 protects the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions, but even these must adhere to basic national standards and child protection norms

Sivankutty reminded the public that Kerala’s education system has always respected constitutional guidelines and will continue to do so.

Schools Must Focus on Academics, Not Indoctrination

The minister also said that schools should teach values like respect, equality and civic responsibility—not religious ideologies. He added that there’s already enough pressure on students due to the competitive academic environment, and mixing religion into their curriculum would only add confusion and division.

He pointed out that inclusive classrooms help promote unity, mutual respect, and a better understanding of the world. This is particularly crucial in a state like Kerala where students come from multiple religious and cultural backgrounds.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.