Kerala School Caste Discrimination: Traumatized by Teacher’s Actions, Pranav Moves to Govt School

Idukki- The parents of six-year-old Pranav Sijoy, a second-grade student who was allegedly subjected to caste-based discrimination at St. Benedict’s LP School in Sleevamala, Idukki district, have decided to transfer him to a new school following the institution’s failure to take meaningful action. The incident, in which Pranav was forced by his class teacher, Maria Joseph, to clean up a classmate’s vomit, has sparked widespread outrage.

After the school’s management refused to address the gravity of the situation and allegedly attempted to downplay the allegations of caste-based discrimination, Pranav’s parents sought a transfer certificate (TC) for their son.

"We have decided to admit Pranav to a government school in Rajakkad, 12 kilometers away," said Priyanka Soman, his mother. "He hasn’t attended school since the incident and remains terrified. This move is essential for his mental well-being. We received the TC today."

The school management, in a late gesture, waived the bus fees owed by the family. However, Priyanka dismissed the move, saying, "We were willing to pay the dues, but they insisted on waiving them. It does not undo the harm caused to my child."

Priyanka expressed her concern about Pranav's adjustment to the new government school, saying, "Pranav is not happy with the government school, as it is entirely new to him. He wishes to join St. Xavier’s School as many of his friends study there, but we are unsure whether he would be treated well there, given that the school falls under the same diocese. After much thought, we decided to enroll him in a government school, which is more affordable for us."

Her tone reflected the distress she felt, as she continued to navigate the difficult situation, hoping for a better environment for her son away from the trauma he had endured.

Priyanka expressed her frustration with the school’s lack of accountability. She accused the administration of manipulating student testimonies in an attempt to neutralize the caste discrimination allegations.

"Pranav’s classmates were reportedly instructed by the teachers/headmistress to claim that everyone cleaned the vomit, but that’s not the truth. The fact remains that my child was singled out," she told The Mooknayak.

During inquiries conducted by the education department and police, Priyanka noted with frustration that other parents, influenced by the school’s management, claimed they had no objections to students being asked to clean messes.

“How can they be so insensitive? How can they protect the school when it is so clearly in the wrong? Children should not be made to clean dirt—it’s humiliating and unacceptable,” Priyanka said.

Adding to the family's distress was the handling of the police complaint. Although an FIR was eventually registered under the Juvenile Justice Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, it came only after an eight-day delay. The FIR has been registered against the teacher, under section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act and the provisions of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Priyanka and her son were allegedly subjected to harassment during their visit to the police station, where they were kept waiting until the early hours of the morning.

With the case now under investigation by Rajesh Kumar, IPS, Additional Superintendent of Police, activists are urging authorities to take decisive action to ensure justice. Meanwhile, Priyanka remains resolute in her fight against systemic discrimination.

"My question is simple: Why should children be forced to clean up messes? This is not only about my son but about the dignity and safety of all students," she said.

Dr. Shailendra Pandya, a leading child rights expert and former member of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR) , emphasized the gravity of the situation.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, Dr. Pandya stated, “This is undoubtedly a case of child rights violation and falls under the purview of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. As child rights advocates, we continuously push for social inclusion, and this case highlights the singling out of a child from an SC community. Even putting the caste aspect aside, children should never be asked to clean toilets or messes. Schools must employ proper cleaning staff for such tasks.”

Dr. Pandya further asserted that beyond police and legal action, the education department and the state government bear responsibility for ensuring such incidents do not recur. “The onus lies on these institutions to take strict action against schools that perpetuate such practices,” he added.

The Mooknayak's efforts to obtain responses from School Principal Soosamma Joseph, Idukki Collector V. Vigneshwari, and SP Vishnu Prateep TK were unsuccessful, as none of them responded to the messages.