Relatives said the constant public attention and conflicting statements from authorities had caused the girl immense emotional distress, making it difficult for her to attend school.
Published Oct 17, 2025 | 12:13 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2025 | 12:50 PM
At the centre of the controversy is a 13-year-old student, who wore a hijab to school.
Synopsis: The 13-year-old student of St. Rita’s Public School in Kochi in Kerala, who had sought permission to wear a hijab in class, will be shifting to another school. The student’s father said his daughter had been under severe mental strain due to the controversy that erupted after her request.
The 13-year-old student of St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy near Kochi in Kerala, who had sought permission to wear a hijab in class, will be shifting to another school, her father Anas Naina announced on Friday, 17 October.
Anas said his daughter had been under severe mental strain due to the controversy that erupted after her request.
He alleged that some members of the school management and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) had handled the matter insensitively, despite the Kerala government and General Education Department expressing support for her right to wear the hijab.
In a Facebook post, Anas wrote, ”The state government and Education Department responded positively. But the school’s reaction was disappointing. Some teachers, including nuns who wear similar attire, told my daughter that the hijab might scare other students. That remark broke her spirit.”
He further claimed that the PTA president’s intervention had a communal tone, which worsened the situation and forced the family to request a transfer certificate.
”We only ask that our names not be used to disturb communal harmony,” Anas added.
According to the family, the school had initially agreed to let the student continue classes after signing a consent form stating she would not wear the hijab in class. However, they say the school later withdrew from that understanding, leaving the student emotionally exhausted.
Relatives said the constant public attention and conflicting statements from authorities had caused the girl immense emotional distress, making it difficult for her to attend school.
”The entire episode has deeply affected her confidence,” said a family member. ”She just wants peace and a normal school life again.”
Dr Jostin Francis, a psychiatrist at the Government Hospital in Kalpetta, told South First about the emotional impact sudden school transfers can have on children.
“School transfers often cause mental trauma for many students. The first challenge is that children suddenly lose their comfort zone and friends. Younger children, especially those in upper primary and lower primary classes, are the most affected. It takes time for them to adjust to a new school, and students in the new environment may not always welcome newcomers, as they have already formed their own social circles.”
“The adjustment period is crucial. During this time, children may experience anxiety, childhood depression, or other emotional difficulties. Often, children perceive a school transfer as a form of punishment.”
“However, if a child requests a transfer, it is usually because they want a change from their current environment, and in such cases, the transfer is less problematic. The impact of a sudden school transfer on a child’s mental health depends on the child’s background and the reasons for the move.”
“After a school transfer, if behavioural issues are noticed, children need a support system. Parents and teachers should actively address these issues and provide guidance and reassurance,” he added.
General Education Minister V Sivankutty criticised the school’s handling of the situation, saying the child had every right to continue studying there.
“Those responsible for her departure will have to answer. It’s ironic that a teacher who wears a headscarf herself told the child not to,” Sivankutty said.
He added that the issue could have been resolved respectfully and assured that the government would protect the rights of every student, even if it involved a single case.
Meanwhile, Principal Sr Heleena Alby said she was unaware that the student had decided to take a transfer certificate. She thanked the Kerala High Court for granting protection to the school and expressed gratitude to the minister for his support.
“The school provides everything students need. If the child is ready to follow school rules, she can continue here. We respect both the government and the law,” she told reporters in Kochi.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
