A shadow of grief has fallen over Kannadi Higher Secondary School in Kerala after the tragic suicide of a 14-year-old student two weeks ago. In response, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights recently visited the school to assess the situation and provide crucial support.
During his visit, Commission Chairperson K.V. Manoj Kumar issued a directive to the State Women and Child Development Department: all students in the deceased boy’s class are to receive psychological counseling. This decision comes as many students have shown signs of distress following their friend’s death. The ninth-grade student reportedly took his own life after a distressing incident involving an alleged threat from his class teacher over an Instagram message.
“It is imperative that all students in that unfortunate child’s class are provided with counseling,” stated Mr. Kumar. He also extended his visit to the grieving mother at her home in Pallanchathanur, emphasizing, “She, too, is in urgent need of mental support.”
In the wake of widespread protests triggered by the student’s death, the school management has suspended class teacher Asha and headmistress Lissy. While the police investigation into the incident is still ongoing, Mr. Kumar confirmed that any subsequent actions would be informed by its findings.
Adding to the official response, Education Minister V. Sivankutty has also instructed the Director of General Education to launch an independent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the boy’s untimely demise.