Kerala upgrades its last eight single-teacher schools into government Lower Primary schools

2 October 2026

The eight single-teacher schools, known as Multi Grade Learning Centres or MGLCs, that were still working in Kerala have been upgraded into government Lower Primary schools.
The upgrade was carried out as part of the government's first hundred-day programme.
General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen performed the State-level inauguration at the Melmuri alternative school at Kizhisseri in Malappuram, and Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer presided over the function.
The Minister said the system of single-teacher schools will no longer exist in the State and that all of these will work as fully equipped Lower Primary schools with modern facilities and teachers.
Five of the eight alternative schools are in Malappuram district, including Arimangalam, Thanur Kalamthuruthi, Wandoor Arimanal and Mancheri Tharikulam; the others are Aloor in Kasaragod, Kurathikudi in Idukki and Kalanki in Kannur, all in backward, hill and tribal areas.
The Minister said classrooms, a headmaster's room and the required teaching posts will be ensured in all these schools.
He said work is progressing to bring smart classroom facilities to 6,000 Lower Primary and Upper Primary schools in the State through 'Digital Square' and to include artificial intelligence and robotics in the high school curriculum.
He said about ten thousand students were given the chance to continue their studies by sanctioning 120 additional Plus One batches in Malabar along with special orders, and that the norm for a physical education teacher's post has been reduced from 500 students to 300.