Kochi: Mar Basil HSS, Kothamangalam, is set to move the High Court over issues related to the selection of the best schools at the State School Sports Meet. The school’s management and sports department have stated that they are preparing to petition the High Court, alleging irregularities in the selection process. The controversy arose after the Thiruvananthapuram GV Raja Sports School, a government-aided sports school, was awarded the title of second-best school. 

There had already been protests regarding this issue at the venue on Monday.

The event took place in the presence of ministers V Sivankutty and Abdurahiman. In the general school category, Ideal EHSS Kadakkasseri ranked first with 80 points, followed by Thirunavaya Navamukunda HSS with 44 points, and Mar Basil HSS, Kothamangalam in third with 43 points.

In the sports hostel category, Thiruvananthapuram GV Raja Sports School secured first place with 55 points. In previous years, sports schools and general schools were evaluated separately, with points reflected accordingly on the website. However, this year, sports schools and general schools were evaluated together, with the highest-scoring schools across both categories declared the best schools. This change in procedure triggered the protests.

There are also allegations that criteria for selecting the best school had not been clarified in advance. The organisers explained that with the decision to conduct the School Sports Meet under the title “School Olympics”, the evaluation criteria had been modified.

Kothamangalam Mar Basil, prepared to receive the third-place trophy, was shocked when Navamukunda School was announced as the third-place winner. This was followed by the announcement of GV Raja Sports School as the second-best school, sparking protests among students from Mar Basil and Navamukunda schools.

When team managers raised complaints with the minister, they were assured that the issue could be resolved. The organisers clarified that this adjustment was part of an ongoing revision of the School Sports Meet manual. However, neither the schools nor the district officers had been informed of any directives or orders regarding this change. There are also accusations that police behaved improperly, allegedly assaulting students. The minister's office later explained that when managing a coordinated sports meet, it was not feasible to categorise schools separately.

Meanwhile, students who protested alleged that police used force against them. Tensions escalated when the police intervened to prevent students who attempted to get on the stage from the grounds. There were allegations that a police officer held one student by his neck.

Students, parents and teachers all took part in the protests, with allegations that police officers threatened and physically assaulted the students, saying, "If the media weren't here, we’d have shown you."