Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Kerala Child Rights Panel Demands Transparency in School Kalolsavam
Kerala’s child rights commission wants school arts festival judging to be more open and fair.
It said judges’ marks should appear on electronic screens.
People should also be able to see who the judges and event organizers are.
Schools should not collect festival money from younger students or their parents.
Judges must follow rules and avoid communicating with one another during competitions.
Children with disabilities should receive suitable events and accessible facilities.
Contestants can use videos when challenging a result.
Appeal decisions should come within three days.
The new instructions are intended for the 2026-27 school arts festival.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights ordered judges’ marks to be displayed electronically during school Kalolsavam competitions.
Authorities were told not to collect money from students in Classes 1 to 8 or their parents for the festival.
Judge-selection criteria, judges’ names, qualifications and expertise must be displayed from the sub-district to state levels.
Appeal decisions must be issued within three days, with performance videos used to explain decisions and compare contestants.
The directions also cover disability access, venue safety certificates, judge conduct and competition scheduling for 2026-27.
- Who
- The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, led by Chairperson K V Manoj Kumar and three members, issued the directions.
- What
- It ordered reforms to judging, appeals, funding, accessibility, scheduling and venue safety at school Kalolsavam competitions.
- When
- The directions were reported on August 20 and are to be implemented during the 2026-27 school Kalolsavam.
- Where
- Across school Kalolsavam competitions in Kerala, from the sub-district to state levels.
- Why
- To improve judging transparency, protect students from improper fee collection, support children with disabilities and improve safety and appeal procedures.
- Marks disclosure
- Judges’ marks for contestants and groups should be displayed on electronic screens on stage.
- Student collections
- Money should not be collected from Classes 1 to 8 students or their parents for the festival.
- Judge information
- Judges’ names, educational qualifications and expertise should be displayed during competitions.
- Appeal deadline
- Appeal orders should be issued within three days of a competition, with reasons clearly stated.
- Competition gaps
- There should be at least 10 days between sub-district and district events, and 15 days between district and state events.
- Venue safety
- Performance venues should obtain fitness certificates from the Public Works Department.
- Implementation
- The Director of General Education, State Police Chief and Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department were among those directed to act.