‘Headmistress should be suspended, show cause notice to school management’; Minister Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister V Sivankutty has demanded the suspension of the headmistress in the incident where Mithun, a student of Thevalakkara School, was electrocuted. The minister while addressing the media in the capital city said that a show cause notice has also been issued to the school management, demanding an explanation within three days.

The minister said that he saw the child after postmortem yesterday. He was sleeping. We can see him only like that. A lot of good things have been done for the children of that school. However, a serious incident like the one that happened yesterday is never acceptable. A decision was taken at a high-level meeting based on the report given by the Director of Education.

An explanation will be sought soon from the AEO in charge of the school. At the time of opening the school, the DEO of Kollam had retired and the additional responsibility was with the Kollam AEO Antony Peter. So, an explanation will be sought from Antony Peter. An explanation is needed before taking action.

The headmistress of the school should be suspended immediately. The management has to do that. If they don’t do it, the government will do it. None of these is bigger than the life of the child. The management should immediately consider providing financial assistance to the boy’s family. They do not have a house of their own. They have only one cent of land. The government has the right to take action against the school management as well.

A house will be built for Midhun's family. All expenses including examination fees of Midhun’s brother up to the 12th standard will be waived off. A special order will be issued in this regard. Rs 3 lakh will be given from the PD account of the general education department as early as possible. As the chief minister is in Delhi providing more financial assistance will be considered only after his return. The school's PTA should be reorganized. The minister of the local government department will be informed to clarify the stand of that department in this regard.