Malaparamba AUP school protection committee to resist closure move at any cost

KOZHIKODE: The school protection committee of Malaparamba AUP school has vowed to resist any effort to shut down the school even as the Kerala High Court on Friday asked the government to comply with its order by June 8. Committee convener M. Jaideep has asked the new government to fulfil its promise of saving the school from the vested interest of an individual and protect the future of the children.

The committee on Thursday had prevented the AEO from executing the order to close the school, which had led to a scuffle between the police and the protesters. “We will go for stronger protests until our demands are met. Pradeep Kumar MLA, who had been spearheading our campaign to protect the 140- year-old school, has assured us to fight till the school is saved. The chief minister and the education minister have assured to help us ,” Mr Jaideep said.

The High Court had earlier this year ruled in favour of the school manager who sought permission to close down the school by invoking section 7 (6) of the Kerala Education Rules.

On May 24, the HC directed the AEO to implement its direction by May 27, but due to public protest, the AEO failed to implement the order. School Manager P.K. Padmarajan said, “even if the government plans to take over the school, I will not part with it.” The protestors’ wards are not studying in the school,” he added.