A significant controversy erupted at St Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Kochi, after an eighth-standard student was initially prohibited from wearing her hijab. The situation led to a two-day closure of the school due to the standoff between the school management and the student’s parents.
Following the intervention of Kerala’s General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, the school has now reopened, permitting the student to attend classes with her hijab. The minister’s office issued a statement confirming his directive to the school to allow the student to continue her education and to address the emotional distress experienced by the student and her family.
The Core of the Controversy
The dispute began when the student was not allowed to wear her headscarf to school on Monday. The issue gained public attention when a letter from the principal, Sister Heleena RC, announcing holidays for Monday and Tuesday due to ‘mental stress’ among students and staff, circulated widely on social media. The principal cited pressure from the student, her parents, and external individuals for the decision.
School’s Perspective
A Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) official explained that the school has maintained a uniform dress code for three decades, which has been followed by students from all communities. However, the parents of one student insisted on their daughter wearing a head covering. The official stated that the situation had become tense recently, with the parents arriving with a group and causing a disturbance, leading to the temporary closure.
The principal also noted that while the student had initially complied with the uniform code for four months, she recently began wearing an additional piece of clothing. The school maintained that its dress code was clearly communicated to parents at the time of admission.
Parents’ Stance
The girl’s father informed reporters that the school had raised concerns about the hijab potentially affecting equality within the student body. He mentioned that while the student was previously asked to remove the hijab inside the classroom, the objection later extended to the school gates. He confirmed that he had lodged complaints with the District Education Officer and the relevant minister.
Ministerial Intervention
Education Minister V Sivankutty emphasized that students’ rights are constitutionally protected. His directive came after a report from the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education highlighted a serious lapse by the school authorities, deeming the prevention of the student from attending class due to her headscarf as misconduct and a violation of the Right to Education Act.
The Kerala High Court had previously granted police protection to the school’s management on Monday amid the escalating situation.
(Inputs from agencies)