Sr. Heleena Alby, Principal of St. Rita’s Public School, said that they would give a warm welcome to the student as long as the parents agree to follow the prescribed rules and regulations. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Parents of an 8th grade student at St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, has decided to transfer her to another school in a bid to end a row that erupted after the management refused to allow their child to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution’s policy on uniforms.
The student’s father said in a Facebook post on Friday (October 17, 2025) that he was pained by the dispute and did not want any personal interests to try to make political and communal gains on it. We will admit her to another school after we get her transfer certificate from St. Rita’s Public School, he said.
He thanked the Government of Kerala and the Department of General Education for their positive response to his daughter’s fundamental right to attend classes in hijab. “However, the reaction of the school management to our request was painful. Some elected representatives tried to put the blame on us and asked us to withdraw our request,” he said.
Sr. Heleena Alby, head of a church school at the Central Board of Secondary Education, said the student would be warmly welcomed as long as the parents agreed to follow the prescribed rules and regulations. Beyond the curriculum, we teach our students about our country’s culture and values, she said.
Also Read: Education Minister Says Government Won’t Allow Schools to Become Focus on Students’ Right to Freedom of Religion and Expression
She thanked the Kerala High Court for providing police protection following the tense situation that emerged after the controversy erupted. She also thanked General Education Minister V. Sivankutty and his department for their support. The director also thanked MP Hibi Eden; K. Babu, MLA; and Shaun George, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who tried to resolve the issue amicably.
Mr. Sivankutty told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram that his department would look into the situation where the student continued to not attend classes.
“She has every right to continue her studies. The government is committed to ensuring her protection. The school authorities must resolve the issue by negotiating with the parents and the student,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 11:49 IST
