Kerala school faces disruption over student wearing hijab; declares two-day holiday

NEW DELHI: A private school run by a Christian management in Palluruthy here was compelled to declare a two-day holiday on Monday following an escalation of a dispute with the parents of an eighth-standard student over her wearing a hijab. A school PTA official alleged that the parents were backed by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a pro-Islamist political outfit, and that its members misbehaved with the school authorities, who are mostly nuns. SDPI has not yet responded to the allegations.

The issue came to light after a letter issued by Sister Heleena RC, Principal of St Rita’s Public School, announcing holidays on Monday and Tuesday, surfaced on social media. In the letter, the principal said that due to pressure from a student who came without the prescribed uniform , her parents, certain individuals not associated with the school, a few students and staff members sought leave, citing mental stress. As a result, the decision to declare holidays on October 13 and 14 was taken after consulting the executive members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the letter said.

“We aim to provide quality education in accordance with the freedoms guaranteed by the country and the rights of school managements, and we expect your continued cooperation,” it added. PTA member Joshi Kaithavalappil told PTI that the school has followed a uniform dress code for the past 30 years and that students from all communities have adhered to it. “However, the parents of one student insisted on sending her with her head covered. Recently, they arrived at the school with a group and created a scene, causing panic among students and teachers. Hence, we decided to declare a two-day holiday,” he said.

School seeks police protection after dress code dispute

Kaithavalappil said the school management had approached the Kerala High Court seeking police protection and received a favourable order. “The people who came to the school claimed they were from SDPI and did not behave properly with the sisters,” he alleged. Addressing the media, the girl’s father said his daughter joined the school only this academic year.

“The school claims equality was affected because she wore a shawl over her head. Earlier, she was asked to remove it inside the classroom, but now they have started objecting even at the school gate,” he said. He added that he had filed complaints with the District Education Officer and the concerned minister. “If they don’t allow her to cover her head, we will move her to another school.”

Principal Sister Heleena told reporters that one student had raised concerns about maintaining uniformity at the school. She said the school has a prescribed dress code, and the student’s parents were informed about it at the time of admission. “The student had no objection to the uniform for nearly four months. But recently, she started wearing an additional garment over it,” she said.

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Student taken to conference room after dress code breach

The principal said that earlier, the student used to keep the extra garment in her bag. “Recently, the student’s mother approached us, and we reminded her about the directions given at the time of admission,” she said. The principal added that on October 10, the student came wearing the same garment. She was then taken to the conference room in the presence of a teacher, and her parents were called.

“The parent, accompanied by around six persons, reached the school and created a scene here. They recorded videos during school hours while other students were watching,” Heleena said. Heleena added that officials from the Education Department came and conducted an inquiry on Monday. She further said there were other reasons for declaring holidays. “Teachers and staff were a bit tense and needed a break. Moreover, students were granted leave to prepare for exams starting on Wednesday. The school will reopen that day,” she said.