According to Ashirnanda’s parents, one of the main stress factors was the school’s practice of dividing students into different divisions based on internal examination performance.
Published Jun 25, 2025 | 7:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2025 | 7:16 PM
Tensions continue to escalate at St. Dominic's School in Sreekrishnapuram following the tragic suicide of 14-year-old Ashirnanda, a ninth-grade student.
Synopsis: Protests erupted at St Dominic’s Convent School in Kerala’s Sreekrishnapuram on Wednesday following the suicide of a 14-year-old student. The student’s parents and local organisations accused the school of negatively affecting her mental health, particularly through its practice of repeatedly reclassifying students based on internal examinations.
Tensions continued to escalate at St Dominic’s Convent School in Sreekrishnapuram in Kerala’s Palakkad district, following the suicide of 14-year-old Ashirnanda, a Class 9 student.
Parents, students, and local organisations gathered at the school on Wednesday, 25 June, staging protests and demanding accountability from the school management.
Ashirnanda was found dead at her home in Changalakuzhi, near Palode Cholode, Thachanattukara, on Tuesday. Her family alleges that emotional trauma caused by the school’s internal practices contributed to her death.
Following the incident, teachers, parents, and police officials held an emergency meeting on the school premises.
Students spoke out against the school’s unethical practice of reclassifying them based on marks.
Emotions ran high during the discussions, with many parents expressing anger and frustration over the school’s policies.
The situation grew tense even during the meeting, as parents and representatives of various groups openly criticised the school’s handling of students’ mental health and well-being.
Members of several student organisations also arrived at the school, demanding immediate action against those responsible for the student’s death.
According to police, the school management has now agreed to convene a Parent-Teacher Association meeting at 2 pm on Thursday to address the concerns raised by parents and the wider community.
BJP unit president N Sachidanandan told South First that multiple complaints had been raised against the school over the years.
“Today, both students and parents spoke out about the unethical practices and harsh rules that have left many students emotionally distressed,” he said.
According to Ashirnanda’s parents, one of the main stress factors was the school’s practice of dividing students into different divisions based on internal examination performance.
Discussions are ongoing with the school management.
They said that for students in Classes 9 and 10, internal exams begin just three months into the academic year. Based on these test scores, students are reportedly separated into three different divisions.
The family further alleged that within the first two months of the session, the school conducted four internal tests and reshuffled students into new divisions three or four times, each time based on their marks.
They said this repeated reclassification caused Ashirnanda severe emotional distress, leaving her feeling isolated and under pressure.
In response, school authorities denied that academic performance was the sole criterion for such divisions. They said multiple factors were considered while grouping students.
(If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tele-MANAS: 14416; Life Suicide Prevention: 7893078930; Arogya Vani: 104; Sahay Helpline: 080-25497777; Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584.)
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
