The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to uphold the directive issued by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) allowing a student of VIII. classes of St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy not far away to attend classes at school wearing a hijab (headscarf).
The court also asked the state government to respond to the request of a school principal who sought to comply with the DDE directive whether the government is empowered to issue a directive to schools that follow the CBSE syllabus.
A school dispute
In its petition, the school said that since its establishment in 1998, it has maintained a secular, inclusive and disciplined environment in which students from different religious and cultural backgrounds study harmoniously. All students adhere to the dress code and uniform policy of the institution. Each student and guardian shall make a written statement at the time of admission that they agree to abide by its uniform policy, the petition states.
But a week ago, the student began arbitrarily ignoring the school’s uniform policy, violating the conditions agreed upon at the time of admission, he said, referring to the Supreme Court, which had earlier categorically ruled in a similar case that a student’s individual rights cannot override or be imposed on the greater interest, discipline and uniform regulations of an educational institution.
Due to the “violation” by the student, the school authorities asked the child’s parents for an explanation. Instead of responding, the child’s father, accompanied by more than six people, “unauthorizedly and violently entered the school premises and manipulated the security personnel” who tried to prevent them from entering. Her father also contacted parents belonging to his community and started inciting them to send their wards in a headscarf, with the ulterior motive of creating social tension, the petition said.
Inquiry authority
The school principal further stated that the directive to allow a student to attend classes without following the school’s uniform policy is contrary to settled law. Additionally, Assistant Education Officer (AEO), District Educational Officer (DEO) and Deputy Director of Education (DDE) do not have the authority to issue notices to CBSE affiliated schools. The school is thus not bound by the administrative regulations of the above-mentioned authorities. The notice and further proceedings are therefore without jurisdiction, the manager argued.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 19:09 IST
