St. Rita’s Public School, Kochi is likely to approach the Kerala High Court against the alleged adverse findings against the management in a report filed by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE), Ernakulam on the hijab controversy involving the VIII student. classes.
Joshi Kaithavalappil, president of the Parent Teacher Association, said the management had appointed its legal representative to examine the legal remedy to be taken as the report falsely claimed that school authorities prevented her from attending classes after her parents insisted on wearing a hijab.
“We have CCTV footage to disprove this allegation. The report was prepared without giving the school management’s version,” he said.
School was operating as normal on Thursday, although the student did not show up on campus the next day due to medical reasons. Her class teacher spoke to her parents and asked the reason for her absence, according to Mr. Kaithavalappil.
The Ernakulam unit of the CPI(M) said on Thursday that the issue has been resolved. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty’s opinion, which was based on the fundamental rights of students and existing education rules, was accepted.
The student’s father also clarified that he did not want to create more problems in the matter, it claimed. A statement issued by the party accused the United Democratic Front of trying to capitalize on the controversy by trying to blame the government and the development minister.
Minister’s charge
Meanwhile, in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Sivankutty alleged that there was a planned effort to politicize the hijab row.
The minister, who claimed that the school management had criticized the government despite the matter being resolved, said the school management and their legal advisers were questioning the government.
It was the government’s duty to investigate the complaint. Based on the preliminary report submitted by the DDE, an explanation was sought from the school authorities.
It was a legal measure. However, what followed was a deliberate attempt to politicize the matter. The school management and their legal counsel were more interested in criticizing the government. Their immature remarks made the whole problem worse. This was not appropriate for an educational institution. Ensuring school learning and the future of students should be the primary consideration, he said.
The minister emphasized that the school should operate according to the laws of the country. The General Education Department had every right to intervene if anyone tried to violate constitutional principles, court orders, Right to Education Act, Kerala Education Act and rules. He would exercise this right to protect public interests.
According to him, the government will take all necessary legal measures in this matter. “The government will not allow any attempt by the Congress or anyone to create a political or communal divide in the education sector in the state,” he said.
Mr. Sivankutty appealed to those concerned to desist from provocative steps that disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the school.
Published – 16 Oct 2025 21:33 IST
