Kerala: No entrance test for Class 1 admissions, says education minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday came out against the practice of conducting entrance tests by some schools for admission in Class 1 and said it won't be allowed in the state. While speaking during a programme here, the minister said it is the time when everybody mulls whether even examinations are necessary for first standard students.

"Some schools conduct entrance tests and interviews for the admission of students in first standard. I would like to say here that it won't be allowed at any cost," Sivankutty said.

Referring to the recent ragging cases reported in some schools, he said though they were small and isolated incidents, it brought shame to the state in general. Steps would be taken to regulate such practices in the future, the minister added.