‘Focus on Student Excellence, Not Just Boards’: Joy Mathew Responds to Thomas Isaac
Actor and social critic Joy Mathew has hit back at former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac following a social media exchange between the two. The disagreement stems from recent comments made by Mathew regarding the state of governance in Kerala over the past decade.
In his response, Joy Mathew clarified that he never claimed there was no development in the state over the last ten years. Instead, he asserted that his criticisms were aimed at the broader administrative decline, as well as the moral and ethical degradation that has impacted various sectors of governance.
Mathew emphasized that simply installing a gleaming board or renovating the infrastructure of a school is insufficient. “It is the academic excellence of the students graduating from these institutions that should truly shine,” he remarked. He further criticized the political climate, suggesting that the recent trend of political leaders prioritizing communal and religious alliances to maintain power has contributed to a negative environment.
The actor also touched upon his stance on the political landscape, explaining that his decision to support the Congress-led UDF was driven by a desire to stand against what he perceives as the “rot” within the Left movement. He argued that true development should extend beyond roads and bridges to encompass the ethical and moral growth of society.
As part of his rebuttal, Mathew included a reference to a social media post by polling officer A. Pradeep Kumar, who shared his observations while on election duty at a government school in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led constituency of Dharmadam. The post highlighted deplorable conditions in certain schools, including poor sanitation and unhygienic environments, serving as a counter-narrative to claims of comprehensive development.
By highlighting these disparities, Joy Mathew aims to push the discourse beyond mere infrastructure statistics, calling for a deeper accountability regarding the quality of education and governance provided to the public.