Parents allege mental harassment by Palakkad school in death of Class 9 student
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links. The family of a 14-year-old girl who died by suicide in Kerala’s Palakkad has accused the girl’s school of mentally harassing her. Aasir Nanda C, a Class 9 student of St Dominic's Convent English medium school, a private Catholic school in Palakkad’s Sreekrishnapuram, returned from school on Monday, June 23 and killed herself.The school management has so far dismissed five people – the school principal Sr Joisy, class teacher Stella and three other teachers, Ambili, Archana and Thangam – following protests by parents and students.Accusing the school management, the girl’s parents said that Aasir Nanda was distressed after she was recently shifted to the E division of Class 9, citing her poor academic performance. In their complaint to the police lodged on Wednesday, June 25, Aasir Nanda’s parents blamed the school principal, Sr Joisy, and Stella on The complaint alleged Aasir Nanda endured verbal and mental harassment by the school authorities. “The action carried out at the school without considering the rights and mental health of the student must be subject to legal action. The legal proceedings must be initiated against the responsible teachers and the school management committee,’ the complaint said.Speaking to TNM, Aasir Nanda’s cousin, Vishnu, said that the school authorities forced Aasir Nanda to give a note saying that she agreed to return to Class 8 if she scored low marks in the exam conducted by the school. On April 10, her teacher, Stella, is said to have forced her to write the note.Vishnu also said that the school conducted monthly exams to assess the academic performance of the students. “In a recent exam, she scored low in mathematics. She had not failed, but her score did not meet the expectations of the school. They changed her division. She had no friends there. In the new classroom, there were only four or five girls. All this might have affected her,” Vishnu added. “This year, her parents decided to shift her to another aided school; however, she refused to go to the new school as all of her friends were studying in Dominic. So a sudden shift from the old classroom without friends disturbed her,” Vishnu said. The incident triggered protests by the students and parents against the principal, Sr Joisy and teachers, alleging that many students in the school were enduring mental and physical harassment. The Student Federation of India (SFI) also conducted a protest march demanding police action on June 25.Meanwhile, the school management denied the harassment allegation and said they only instructed Aasir Nanda to rewrite the exam they had previously conducted. In a press note, the school authority claimed that the individuals spreading false information against the school had vested interests and were attempting to defame the school and its reputation. However, the school dismissed Principal Joisy and two teachers, Stella and Thangam. Media reports said that the District Education Department also conducted a visit to the school, and the District Collector has sought a report from the school.A classmate of the girl spoke to the media and claimed that Aasir Nanda had written a note in her book saying that the principal and three teachers, Stella, Archana and Ambili, would be the reason for her death. However, Aasir Nanda’s parents were not aware of her leaving any such note.A meeting was also conducted on June 26 in the school with representatives of the school management and parents. The stakeholders elected a new Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and decided to dismiss the two teachers, Archana and Ambili. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.Tamil NaduState health department's suicide helpline: 104Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)Andhra PradeshLife Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584KarnatakaSahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222KeralaMaithri: 0484 2540530Chaithram: 0484 2361161Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.TelanganaState government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pmAasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.24x7 Helpline: 9820466726Click here for working helplines across India. TNM is an ad-free platform, not beholden to anybody. We’re only accountable to our readers. Subscribe to TNM to keep us free.
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THE family of a 14-year-old girl who died by suicide in Palakkad has accused the girl’s school of mentally harassing her. Aasir Nanda C, a Class 9 student of St Dominic's Convent English medium school, a private Catholic school in Palakkad’s Sreekrishnapuram, returned from school on Monday, June 23 and killed herself.
The school management has so far dismissed five people – the school principal Sr Joisy, class teacher Stella and three other teachers, Ambili, Archana and Thangam – following protests by parents and students.
Accusing the school management, the girl’s parents said that Aasir Nanda was distressed after she was recently shifted to the E division of Class 9, citing her poor academic performance.
In their complaint to the police lodged on Wednesday, June 25, Aasir Nanda’s parents blamed the school principal, Sr Joisy, and Stella. The complaint alleged Aasir Nanda endured verbal and mental harassment by the school authorities.
“The action carried out at the school without considering the rights and mental health of the student must be subject to legal action. The legal proceedings must be initiated against the responsible teachers and the school management committee,’ the complaint said.
Speaking to TNM, Aasir Nanda’s cousin, Vishnu, said that the school authorities forced Aasir Nanda to give a note saying that she agreed to return to Class 8 if she scored low marks in the exam conducted by the school. On April 10, her teacher, Stella, is said to have forced her to write the note.
Vishnu also said that the school conducted monthly exams to assess the academic performance of the students.
“In a recent exam, she scored low in mathematics. She had not failed, but her score did not meet the expectations of the school. They changed her division. She had no friends there. In the new classroom, there were only four or five girls. All this might have affected her,” Vishnu added.
“This year, her parents decided to shift her to another aided school; however, she refused to go to the new school as all of her friends were studying in Dominic. So a sudden shift from the old classroom without friends disturbed her,” Vishnu said.
The incident triggered protests by the students and parents against the principal, Sr Joisy and teachers, alleging that many students in the school were enduring mental and physical harassment. The Student Federation of India (SFI) also conducted a protest march demanding police action on June 25.
Meanwhile, the school management denied the harassment allegation and said they only instructed Aasir Nanda to rewrite the exam they had previously conducted.
In a press note, the school authority claimed that the individuals spreading false information against the school had vested interests and were attempting to defame the school and its reputation.
However, the school dismissed Principal Joisy and two teachers, Stella and Thangam. Media reports said that the District Education Department also conducted a visit to the school, and the District Collector has sought a report from the school.
A classmate of the girl spoke to the media and claimed that Aasir Nanda had written a note in her book saying that the principal and three teachers, Stella, Archana and Ambili, would be the reason for her death. However, Aasir Nanda’s parents were not aware of her leaving any such note.
A meeting was also conducted on June 26 in the school with representatives of the school management and parents. The stakeholders elected a new Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and decided to dismiss the two teachers, Archana and Ambili.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.
