Kerala school hijab row: Parents decide to shift their daughter to another school

The parents of a Class 8 student at the St. Rita’s Public School at Palluruthy in Kochi have decided to shift her to another school as part of the efforts to end the controversy that erupted after the management refused to permit their child to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution’s uniform policy.

The father of the student said in a Facebook post on Friday (October 17, 2025) that they were pained over the controversy and did not want some vested interests trying to reap political and communal gains over it. We will admit her in another school after getting the transfer certificate from St. Rita’s Public School, he said.

He thanked the Kerala government and Department of General Education for responding positively to the fundamental right of his daughter to attend classes wearing a hijab. “However, the response of the school authorities to our request was painful. Some of the elected representatives had tried to put the blame on us and asked us to withdraw our demand,” he alleged.

Sr. Heleena Alby, principal of the church-run school affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, said that they will welcome the student wholeheartedly if the parents agree to abide by the rules and regulations prescribed. Beyond the curriculum, we teach our students about the culture and values of our country, she said.

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She thanked the Kerala High Court for ensuring police protection following the tense situation that emerged after the controversy had erupted. She also thanked the Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty and his department for the support. The principal also thanked Hibi Eden, MP; K. Babu, MLA; and Shaun George, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who had tried to resolve the issue amicably.

Mr. Sivankutty told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram that his department will enquire into the situation under which the student continued not to attend the classes.

“She has all the rights to continue her studies. The government is committed to ensuring protection for her. The school authorities need to resolve the issue by holding talks with the parents and the student,” said a communication quoting him.