Thiruvananthapuram : A prominent Muslim organisation in Kerala, Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, along with its affiliate Samastha Kerala Madrassa Management Association (SKMMA), has announced statewide protests against the Kerala government’s recent decision to extend school hours for students in Classes 8 to 10, reported the Newsminute.
The state’s new order adds 30 minutes to the daily school schedule — 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon sessions (excluding Fridays) — for government, aided, and unaided schools under the state syllabus. This change aims to meet the requirements of 220 working days and 1,100 instructional hours mandated by the Right to Education Act and the Kerala Education Rules.
However, the Samastha leadership argues that the extended hours will severely disrupt madrassa education attended by an estimated 1.2 million Muslim students in the state.
“This decision directly affects the functioning of madrassas,” said Nasar Faizy Koodathayi, a key Samastha leader. “The new timings leave little space for religious instruction, and even the general public will face inconveniences. The government must reconsider and initiate dialogue to resolve this issue.”
Samastha also accused the government of disregarding community concerns and acting undemocratically. “The Education Minister’s refusal to acknowledge religion as an essential factor in student life reflects a disappointing and rigid stance,” Faizy added.
The organisation has announced a series of protests in response:
District-level conventions by July 22
Regional-level protests by July 25
A march to the District Collectorate on August 5
A march to the State Secretariat on September 30
The Kerala government has not yet responded to the protest plans or offered to reopen discussions with the concerned bodies.
