Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty Defends School Zumba; Says Participation Mandatory

Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty has affirmed that Zumba dance will continue in schools, stating that it is a light exercise. The Minister emphasized that children must participate, and parents do not have a choice in the matter. According to contact rules, teachers are obligated to carry out the department’s directives. Sivankutty clarified that no one has asked students to wear revealing clothing, and children perform Zumba dance in their uniforms.

Sivankutty highlighted that when protests against dress codes like Hijab arose in several Indian states, progressive movements adopted a high democratic and cultural stance. He criticized certain organizations in Kerala for taking positions that favor majoritarian extremism, likening it to “calling a goat a dog.” The Minister added that such stances only fuel majoritarian communalism in a harmonious society like Kerala.

He stressed that engaging in physical activities helps instill mental and physical freshness, health, and positive thoughts in children. This, in turn, positively impacts their studies and personality development. Sivankutty stated that rehearsals for sports activities, including Zumba, are currently underway in 90% of government schools in the state. He emphasized the necessity of promoting such physical activities, noting that health and physical education have been included as compulsory subjects in Kerala’s public education sector.