SSK paralysis hits Onam exam preparations; timely question papers in doubt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Concerns are mounting that question papers for the Onam examinations, scheduled to begin in about two weeks, may not reach schools on time due to administrative paralysis within Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK).

The examinations for Classes 1 to 10 are set to commence on August 12. However, the process of compiling student data, printing and distributing the required question papers has stalled as the SSK, which is responsible for coordinating the exercise, remains largely dysfunctional.

The work is normally handled by teachers appointed to the SSK on deputation by the government. All teachers deputed by the previous government have since returned to their parent schools, while the present administration has yet to make significant fresh appointments.

Under the established procedure, schools submit their requirements for question papers through Block Resource Centres (BRCs). These figures are consolidated by District Project Coordinators and forwarded to the State Programme Director. Based on this data, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) prepares the question papers, while the content is finalised jointly by SCERT and the SSK.

SCERT, which is required to conduct workshops to prepare the question papers, is also functioning without a newly appointed director.

Appointments delayed

Even two months after schools reopened, the government has yet to distribute posts among the 18 United Democratic Front (UDF)-affiliated teachers' organisations, bringing the functioning of the SSK to a standstill.

Administrative vacancies persist across the organisation. The state-level Governing Council has not yet been constituted. Of the five Programme Officer posts that are to be filled, only V.K. Abdurahman from Kozhikode has been appointed.

Similarly, Programme Coordinators are yet to be appointed in all 14 districts, with only Nisar Chelery of Kozhikode having been named to the post. Not a single District Programme Officer has been appointed in any of the state's 14 districts, while Block Coordinators are yet to be appointed in all 168 Block Resource Centres.