On Saturday, 31 January 2026, Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty officially announced that the Class 10 (SSLC) syllabus will be reduced by 25 per cent starting from the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
Speaking in Kollam during a ceremony to hand over a newly built home to the family of Mithun, a student who tragically died of electrocution last year, the Minister explained that the decision followed persistent grievances from students regarding unmanageable workloads.
The curriculum committee has approved the plan, which aims to provide students more time for deep learning and extracurriculars without altering the core quality of the textbooks. This move is part of a broader shift toward student-centric education in the state.
Kerala Syllabus Reduced
The venue for this major policy announcement carried deep emotional weight. Mithun, a Class 8 student at Thevalakkara Boys High School, lost his life in July 2024 while attempting to retrieve a slipper from a school roof, accidentally contacting a low-hanging power line.
Following the tragedy, it was revealed that Mithun had sketched his “dream home” on the walls of his family’s dilapidated hut. In a remarkable show of community spirit, the Kerala State Bharat Scouts and Guides launched the “Mithunte Veedu, Enteyum” (Mithun’s Home Is Mine Too) initiative.
The 1,000-square-foot modern house, featuring three bedrooms and a reading room, was completed in just six months at a cost of ₹20 lakh, funded entirely through internal organisational efforts without collecting money from fellow students.
Addressing Academic Pressure
The decision to trim the syllabus was sparked by a memorandum submitted to the Minister by three students specifically highlighting the heavy burden of the Social Science paper.
Alongside Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal, Sivankutty handed the keys to Mithun’s father and requested that one of the parents be provided with a job at the Thevalakkara school.
Additionally, the state has already provided nearly ₹44 lakh in cumulative financial aid to the family through various departments and organisations, emphasizing a holistic approach to student welfare and rehabilitation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that education should be a journey of curiosity and growth rather than a race against unmanageable pressure.
The decision to reduce the academic burden on Class 10 students is a commendable step toward prioritising mental health and holistic development over rote learning.
Furthermore, the construction of “Mithun Bhavanam” by the Bharat Scouts and Guides exemplifies the profound impact of empathy and collective action. It is heartening to see a government listen to the voices of children and act with such compassion.
