Govt warns action against teachers if students are made to serve food at school events

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has banned schools from assigning students to serve food, drinks, or perform other service-related duties during school events. Teachers and headmasters who violate the order will face disciplinary action. The General Education Department said such practices are against the dignity and rights of children and can negatively affect their self-respect.

The order applies to all schools in the state, including government, aided, and unaided institutions. The decision follows widespread complaints about students being made to perform such duties during school functions.

The government had found that students were often asked to serve food and beverages to guests during annual celebrations, official functions, farewell events, and other school programmes. In some schools, students were also being made to clean classrooms and carry out other maintenance work. The order states that these practices violate the spirit of child rights laws and regulations and are not appropriate in educational institutions.

The General Education Department had earlier stopped the practice of making students line up to welcome dignitaries with ceremonial receptions during official events.

DEOs asked to enforce order

The government has directed District Education Officers (DEOs) to ensure the strict implementation of the new order. Each school must be informed separately about the directive, and officials have been instructed to ensure that such practices are not repeated in the future. The Director of General Education issued the instructions to Deputy Directors of Education through an official email.