Kochi: The State Human Rights Commission on Thursday took a suo motu case in the incident in which two second standard students of an unaided English medium school near Aluva were paraded under the scorching sun, without being allowed to write the exams, for not paying school fees. One of the students had to be taken to Aluva district hospital after he developed uneasiness.
SHRC chairman Justice (retd) Antony Dominic ordered district collector and education deputy director to submit a report within three weeks. The incident was reported from Karumaloor Settlement Higher Secondary School. The students were reportedly punished by the headmistress under the direction of the management.
It is alleged that they were asked to stand under the sun for nearly two hours after they failed to pay the fees of Rs 950 despite repeated reminders.
Aluva educational district DEO Valsalakumari has submitted a report to the DPI in charge, Jessy Joseph, after visiting the school and taking the statements of witnesses and the affected. She said that she acted based on a complaint submitted by Aluva Citizens Forum signed by the two children and the parents.
"The collector also directed us to reach the school and assess the situation following the inputs he got," she said and added that the headmistress was asked to stay away from duty for a day on Thursday due to anticipated protests in the area. "The management, headmistress and others have been asked to co-operate with the probe. Action is sure to follow. Since it is an unaided the school, only the DPI and the government can take action, including cancelling the NOC," she said.
Meanwhile, the Alangad police has registered a case under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act and questioned several people, including the parents, teachers and students.
"The probe is still on and we will act based on evidence," said a senior police official. Karumaloor panchayat president G.D. Shibu said that exemplary punishment should be given to those responsible so that such incidents do not occur.
