Kerala student’s video ‘threatening’ school principal made public, govt orders probe

The director of the general education department has been asked to probe into the incident, which was reported from Palakkad, Sivankutty said. In the video, the upset student is purportedly heard threatening the principal in his office.

Written by Shaju Philip

Thiruvananthapuram | Updated: January 23, 2025 02:00 PM IST

2 min read

V Sivankutty, Kerala government, Kerala govt school, Kerala govt school student threatens principal, Indian express news, current affairs

Meanwhile, when contacted, the school principal said they did not know how the video came to be circulated.

Kerala’s Education Minister V Sivankutty Wednesday ordered a high-level probe after a video showed a student from a state government school purportedly “threatening” a principal for confiscating a mobile phone.

“Mobile phones are not allowed in classrooms and teachers were complying with this directive. The video in circulation shows a student behaving in an unexpected manner. At the same time, it was inappropriate to circulate the video of the incident,’’ he said.

The minister said the incident was an “isolated” one.

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“Students may be under mental pressure due to various factors. Solving such issues requires social intervention. We have to look into whether students do get the required opportunities for self-expression in schools as well as in society at this age. This incident points at the necessity of a mentoring program within the school system, considering the emotional aspects of every student,” he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the school principal said they did not know how the video came to be circulated.

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“The student has tendered an apology today, and we have decided to give them counselling. Many parents complain about abuse of mobile phones and hence, we have intervened and seized the gadget. The student will not face any issue in the school. He had reacted in an emotional outburst,” the principal said.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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