Palakkad: The family of a 14-year-old girl who died allegedly by suicide in Nattukallu has raised serious allegations against the school she was attending. The girl, Ashirnanda, a Class 9 student of St Dominic’s Convent English Medium School at Sreekrishnapuram here, was allegedly subjected to mental harassment at the school, which the family claims led to her taking her own life.

According to the parents, the school follows a system where internal examinations are conducted three months after the academic year begins for Classes 9 and 10. Based on the marks obtained in these tests, students are divided into three different divisions. The family alleges that this reclassification caused Ashirnanda considerable emotional distress.

One parent, speaking to Mathrubhumi News, said that within the first two months of the academic year, four tests were conducted, and students were segregated into different divisions three or four times based on their marks. However, school authorities stated that the division of students is not based solely on academic performance, but also on several other factors.

Following the incident, teachers, parents and the police held a meeting at the school, during which tensions ran high. Student organisation members also reached the site, demanding action against those responsible. According to the police, the school has agreed to convene a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting at 2 pm on Thursday.
Later, three teachers from the school were suspended in this connection.

(Important note: Suicide is not a solution. Seek help from mental health professionals. Reach out and choose to survive. Toll-free helpline number: 1056)