A complaint has been lodged alleging that Muslim children were denied admission to an aided school in Kerala's Kollam district. The allegation is against the headmistress of Dr C.T. Eapen Memorial RHS School in Sasthamkotta, according to MediaOne TV.
According to the complaint, the headmistress reportedly told parents and students that Muslim children would not be admitted to the school and objected to children arriving in white attire. Around 30 students, including some from a dars (Islamic learning centre) in Chakkuvalli, had reportedly sought admission, Maktoob Media reported.
The complainants alleged that the students were denied admission despite requests from teachers and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) representatives. They further claimed that no action was taken even after complaints were submitted to the school management and the District Educational Officer (DEO).
Local media reports said the school currently has only 63 students from Classes 5 to 10, with just one Muslim student enrolled in the high school section.
The complainants also stated that teachers had undertaken extensive outreach efforts to increase enrolment, as a further decline in student numbers could result in the loss of a part-time teaching post.
The PTA vice-president alleged that the children's Muslim identity and even their clothing had become issues in the admission process.
Teachers claimed that the headmistress had displayed similar behaviour on previous occasions as well.
Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister N. Shamsudheen said strict action would be taken if the complaint was formally received and found to be true, stressing that no child could be denied access to education.