Kerala Launches Two-Week Social Awareness Program in Schools: No Textbooks to Start 2025 Academic Year

In a groundbreaking move, the Kerala Department of Public Education has announced that the first two weeks of the 2025-26 academic year will not involve traditional textbook learning. Instead, schools across the state will begin the year with a comprehensive social awareness program, making Kerala the first state in India to implement such a model at the start of the school year.

This initiative, starting June 2, 2025, is designed to tackle pressing social issues such as drug abuse, hygiene, digital discipline, and emotional well-being. During the crucial first weeks of school, its focus will shift from academic content to life-oriented education.

A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in India

Education Minister V. Sivankutty confirmed that students will engage in interactive sessions, discussions, and workshops to nurture responsible citizenship and emotional intelligence. “For two weeks, children are not going to study textbooks but will participate in awareness sessions on various social issues,” the minister stated.

The curriculum is carefully designed and structured through a collaborative effort between educational and social departments, making it informative and contextually relevant.

Focus Areas of the Social Awareness Program

The awareness campaign will address various societal issues relevant to students of all age groups. The topics have been finalized after a two-day expert workshop that included:

• Police Department
• Excise Department
• Child Rights Commission
• Social Justice Department
• National Health Mission
• Women and Child Development
• Kerala SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training)
   

These agencies collaborated to build a multidisciplinary awareness module that will cover the following key themes:

• Drug abuse prevention
• Destruction of public property
• Emotional regulation and control
• Personal and environmental hygiene
• Digital discipline
• Basic healthcare and well-being
• Legal awareness and civic responsibility
   

Who Will Participate?

The program is designed for a wide range of student groups:

• Classes 1 to 10: These students will engage in two full weeks of social awareness sessions starting June 2, 2025.
• ​​​​​​​Higher Secondary Students: Students in this category will attend a one-week program on July 18, 2025.

The delay in rollout for higher secondary students is intended to better align with their academic calendar and exam schedules, while still ensuring they benefit from the awareness sessions.

Teacher Training and Curriculum Delivery

Teachers across Kerala have undergone special training workshops to ensure effective delivery of this unique curriculum. These sessions equipped educators with tools and techniques to handle sensitive topics such as substance abuse, mental health, and legal rights with age-appropriate sensitivity.

The focus will be on interactive and participatory methods rather than traditional classroom lectures. Group discussions, storytelling, case studies, and activity-based learning will be employed to keep students engaged and thoughtful.

Curriculum Integration and Schedule Adjustments

This initiative isn't a one-off activity but part of a larger, ongoing effort to integrate social and emotional learning into mainstream education. To accommodate this change:

• School timetables will be revised to include dedicated time slots for arts, sports, and discussions on social issues throughout the academic year.
   
• The revised schedule ensures that academic goals are not compromised while giving adequate room for holistic development.
   

Impact and Long-Term Vision

The Kerala government’s initiative comes amid rising concerns about student mental health, behavioral issues, and increasing exposure to digital and societal influences. By front-loading the academic year with a strong foundation in social awareness, the state hopes to equip its students with the emotional and ethical tools required to navigate the modern world.

Education experts and child psychologists have praised the move, calling it a proactive step toward preventive education. The goal is to create a school environment that doesn’t just focus on exams and grades and prepares students to be conscious, compassionate, and law-abiding citizens.

Summary of Key Details

• Program Launch Date: June 2, 2025 (Classes 1–10); July 18, 2025 (Higher Secondary)
• Duration: Two weeks for Classes 1–10; one week for higher secondary students
• Topics Covered: Drug abuse, hygiene, digital discipline, law awareness, emotional control, environmental responsibility, etc.
• Training: Special teacher workshops conducted in advance
• Curriculum Design: Collaborative input from police, health, social justice, education, and child welfare departments
• Follow-up: Schools to continue incorporating social education alongside academics year-round

Final Thoughts

Kerala’s decision to replace textbooks with real-life lessons for the first two weeks of the school year reflects a bold and necessary shift in Indian education. By prioritizing social awareness, the state sets a precedent for integrated, student-centric learning that could inspire similar models nationwide.

As schools reopen this June, students in Kerala won't just be learning about numbers and grammar—they’ll be building the skills and awareness to lead healthier, more responsible lives.