The Kerala Education Department has initiated a formal investigation after a shocking incident at Kundamkuzhi Government Higher Secondary School in Kasaragod, where a Class 10 student was allegedly assaulted by the school headmaster. The assault was so severe that it reportedly left the boy with a ruptured eardrum, causing widespread outrage among parents and local residents who expressed deep concern over the safety of students in educational institutions. The disturbing event, which took place on August 11, has sparked debates about the persistence of corporal punishment in schools despite clear guidelines prohibiting such practices. Parents and community members have demanded strict action against those responsible, stressing that schools must remain safe environments where children can learn without fear of violence or intimidation.
Kerala’s Education Minister, V Sivankutty, responded promptly to the growing public anger by ordering an inquiry into the complaint. He explained that the child’s mother had contacted him directly and described what had transpired during the school’s morning assembly. According to her, the boy had inadvertently moved some gravel with his legs, a minor act for which the headmaster allegedly slapped him, leading to the serious injury of his eardrum. Sivankutty strongly condemned the incident and reiterated his consistent stand that teachers have no right to physically harm students under any circumstances. He also reminded educators across the state that their duty is to guide and nurture, not to punish or inflict harm, and promised appropriate measures once the investigation concludes.
The family of the victim highlighted how they came to know about the assault. The boy’s younger sister, who was present during the assembly, reportedly broke down after witnessing the incident. The emotional shock was so overwhelming that she fell ill, and through her reaction, the family realized the extent of what had happened. The event has not only caused physical harm to the boy but also emotional distress to his sibling, further intensifying the family’s anguish and the outrage expressed by the community. Parents in the locality have been voicing fears about the psychological impact such actions could have on children, underscoring the need for schools to adopt more sensitive and child-friendly approaches to discipline.
This troubling case comes shortly after another incident in Kerala that once again raised concerns about the treatment of children in schools. At Cochin Public School in Thrikkakara, a fifth-grade student faced harsh and humiliating treatment for arriving just a few minutes late. According to reports, the child, who was only three minutes late, was first forced to run two laps around the school grounds as punishment. What followed was even more alarming: the student was confined to a dark classroom and left alone, an act that not only instilled fear but also raised serious questions about the mental well-being of young learners subjected to such punishments. The episode sparked a fresh debate on whether private and public schools are adhering to child protection norms laid down by the state.
The victim of the Thrikkakara incident later recounted his experience, saying that after completing the laps, the principal gave him the option of either being picked up by his parents or sitting alone in the dark classroom without any company other than teachers who were present elsewhere. The child’s account highlighted the arbitrary and intimidating nature of the punishment, which many have condemned as a violation of the child’s dignity. Such incidents, when combined with the Kasaragod assault case, illustrate a worrying trend of punitive practices that contradict Kerala’s otherwise progressive stance on education.
Education Minister Sivankutty also spoke directly with the father of the Thrikkakara student, who revealed that the school authorities had even suggested that he withdraw his son by applying for a Transfer Certificate if he was unhappy with their disciplinary approach. Outraged by this response, Sivankutty advised the parents against leaving the school under pressure and assured them that no such unacceptable practices would be tolerated in Kerala’s education system. He reiterated that arbitrary punishments erode trust in schools and undermine the rights of students, vowing to take a firm stance to ensure accountability.
Concluding his remarks, Sivankutty emphasized that safeguarding children and ensuring their emotional as well as physical well-being must remain at the heart of the education system. He declared that no student or family would be left to feel isolated in the face of such injustices. Stressing the need for collaboration between parents, teachers, and the larger society, he underlined that education should never be associated with fear or humiliation but should instead foster growth, curiosity, and confidence. By taking a strong position against these disturbing practices, the minister reinforced Kerala’s commitment to a child-centered education model, sending a clear message that corporal punishment and arbitrary disciplinary measures will not find a place in the state’s schools.
