MALAPPURAM: A private school in the district courted controversy after 32 of its 800 students were told to wear special uniforms to school while the rest followed regular protocol.
Child Line, a child rights foundation, which first bought up the issue, was told by the students in their complaint that they felt discriminated by the new system.
After a survey among the students, Child Line asked school authorities to withdraw the system in July. “We found most students were unhappy with the new system. We demanded appropriate action from the school,” said Child Line counsellor Mohammed Rashid.
Led by Mohammed Rashid, teams comprising four groups visited the school thrice. On Thursday, during the last visit, it found the school still following the same system.
“We met school authorities and conveyed the dissent of the students. But the authorities continued to justify their action,” Mohammed Rashid said. However, the system was put to an end on Thursday.
Child Line has approached Kerala State Commission for intervention by the Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) and district Child Welfare Committee.
Meanwhile, school principal Abdul Kareem said the new system was launched to form a students’ group. Named the prefect group, they monitor various activities including cyber crimes and abuses among the students.
“Students were selected based on their academic, co curricular activities and discipline. The intention was very positive and we received no complaints by the students or parents,” principal Abdul Kareem said.