Crucial decision following tragedy; Kerala govt takes over administration of Thevalakkara School

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government made a crucial decision in the incident that led to the death of eighth-grader Mithun in Thevalakkara school, Kollam. Education Minister V Sivankutty announced that the government will dismiss the Thevalakkara school management and take over the administration. The action comes in the backdrop of a report that blamed the school management for committing serious lapses in the death of Mithun. Earlier, the education department had sought an explanation from the manager about the incident. The government has now taken action by rejecting the manager's explanation.

Minister Sivankutty:

“The government, realising the seriousness of this incident, is taking precautions to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future. The Department of Public Education will construct a house for Mithun's family under the supervision of Scouts and Guides. An order has been issued to provide Rs. 3 lakh as emergency financial assistance from the PD account of the Director of Public Education.

KSEB has already handed over Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance to Mithun's kin. The school management announced that it will provide Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance. The teachers' association will hand over Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance immediately. A lot of things were done regarding security before the school opened. Still, an unfortunate incident occurred at Thevalakkara School. In the meeting held the other day, it was decided to take strict measures regarding school security.

The headmistress of the school was suspended in this incident. The report received by the Director of General Education has pointed out serious lapses. In this context, the General Education Department will issue an order dismissing the management of the school and handing over the administration of the school to the Kollam District Education Officer."

On the 17th of this month, 13-year-old Mithun died after being electrocuted while playing football near the school premises. After his shoes fell on the top of a bicycle shed, Mithun braved the rain to get on top of the shed to pick up his shoes. Mithun accidentally rested his arm on an electric line that was hanging dangerously low to the shed. Mithun was immediately taken to the hospital, but his life could not be saved.