SSLC Results Out: Malabar's Hue and Cry Falls on Deaf Ears — Again

Once again, the publication of the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) results has thrown into sharp relief the persistent and alarming regional disparities in Kerala’s education system. Year after year, the Malabar region, particularly districts like Malappuram, watches as its students perform against the odds—only to be met with silence and inaction from policymakers when it comes to the next critical step: higher secondary education. Despite repeated appeals, ground reports, and official data pointing to a severe shortage of Plus One (higher secondary) seats in the region, the state’s response continues to be grossly inadequate. Tens of thousands of students, many of them first-generation learners from marginalized communities, are being forced to drop out or seek education in unaided institutions far from home—if at all. The dearth of higher secondary batches is not just a logistical failure—it is a moral crisis. For over two decades, Malappuram has been bearing the brunt of this educational neglect, making it not only one of the most backward districts in Kerala, but placing it among the most educationally disadvantaged districts in the entire country. The SSLC results should be a moment of celebration for students and families. But in Malabar, they are often a moment of dread—anticipating rejection due to lack of seats and opportunities. This has sparked anger, disillusionment, and a growing realization that the region's aspirations are being systematically sidelined. The Malabar Education Movement, led by voices like Prof. K.K.N. Kurup, continues to call out this injustice and demand urgent corrective measures. The question now is: how many more batches of children must be sacrificed before equity in education becomes a reality in Kerala?