St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, Kerala, which temporarily closed for two days due to a controversy surrounding a Class 8 student and her headscarf, officially reopened on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The school administration promptly rejected statements made by the Minister for General Education, V. Sivankutty, who alleged that the student was denied entry to classes for wearing a headscarf.
Principal Sr. Heleena Alby addressed the media, stating that Minister Sivankutty’s remarks were made “without verifying the facts.” She emphasized that the school had never barred the student from attending classes, even after the matter became public knowledge.
The Principal further referenced a 2018 Kerala High Court ruling in a similar case, which affirmed the right of school managements to establish their own uniform policies. She asserted that the school has consistently avoided any discrimination against students based on their religious beliefs and confirmed that a formal response has been submitted to the Education department’s inquiry.
Previously, on Tuesday, the student’s father had indicated his daughter would comply with the school’s dress code, expressing a desire to prevent the issue from being exploited to create communal discord.
However, by Thursday, the father reconsidered, suggesting he might now instruct his daughter to wear the headscarf, citing the Education Minister’s directive that students should be allowed to attend school wearing it.