Thiruvananthapuram: A private school in Pampady, Kottayam district, was attacked by infuriated student activists after a Grade 9 boy of the school committed suicide, allegedly because he learnt he would be failed to ensure a better pass percentage for the school in next year’s class 10 examinations.
The management of the Crossroads Higher Secondary School in Pampady denied the allegation that the school resorted to deliberately failing students. But enraged student activists attached to the Students Federation of India marched to the school and pelted stones at the building, causing damage to the building and fixtures.
Dozens of protesters stormed into the school compound on Sunday morning, destroyed the nameboard and pelted stones at the building, breaking window panes. The protesters ran riot all around the campus for several minutes, causing widespread damage.
Police forces were ready at the school campus, aware of the protest, and the activists clashed with the police. Police resorted to firing tear gas shells and some of the protesters were injured in the skirmish.
The deceased student was identified as Jinto Eapen, son of Eapen Varghese, a resident of Kottayam district. Jinto’s mother, Bindi is a schoolteacher in the same district. Jinto was his parents’ only son.
Jinto was found dead in his home on Saturday evening. His parents suspect that he took his life as he feared that he would be failed in class 9, so that the school would be assured of a hundred per cent pass in the class 10 examination next year.
The school authorities had informed the boy’s parents about his low marks in school, but not that he was going to be failed, reports said.
