Minister Slams St. Rita’s School Over Hijab Ban, Calls Teacher’s Stance ‘Ironic’
Kozhikode: Education Minister V. Sivankutty has strongly criticized the management of St. Rita’s School in Palluruthy amidst the ongoing Hijab controversy. Speaking in Kozhikode, the Minister highlighted the irony of a teacher, who herself wears a headscarf, enforcing a ban on the hijab for students. He issued a stern warning, stating that those responsible for the student’s decision to leave the school would be held accountable.
The Minister’s comments came in response to reports that a student was discontinuing her studies at the school due to the controversy. “We will investigate the reasons why the child is leaving the school. Those responsible will have to answer to the government,” Minister Sivankutty asserted. He further emphasized that the school authorities would bear full responsibility if the child experienced any mental distress as a result of the incident.
Sivankutty underscored the importance of adhering to constitutional principles and education rights laws in the administration of education. He expressed concern over the mental anguish the young student had endured over the past week, questioning the appropriateness of the school’s conduct towards a child. The Minister lamented that an issue that could have been resolved internally was allowed to escalate to such a detrimental point.
“The government’s position is to protect the child,” Sivankutty stated, adding that it was paradoxical for a teacher wearing a headscarf to prohibit a student from wearing one. He suggested that uniform-colored headscarves should be permitted, and clarified that the legal advisor is not the one to answer to the government, reiterating that the matter should have been resolved through discussion.
The student’s father also shared his family’s ordeal, confirming the decision to change his daughter’s school. He revealed that the family had been deeply affected by accusations and the emotionally taxing environment. He recounted how his daughter was profoundly distressed when nun teachers, who wore similar attire, told her that her shawl would instill fear in other children. He also alleged that certain political party leaders and public representatives had portrayed them as culprits and pressured them to withdraw their demand.
The father explained that the immense pressure had taken a toll on their mental well-being. He noted that despite their demand being reasonable, many had attempted to exploit the situation for political and communal gain. He particularly highlighted the “communal interference” led by the school’s PTA president as a significant source of mental trauma for him and his daughter.