Education Minister C. Ravindranath has said the government will take stringent action against those responsible for the snakebite death of fifth standard student Shehala Sherin inside the classroom at the Government Sarvajana Higher Secondary School here.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday after visiting the house of the 10-year-old at Puthan Kunnu, near Sultan Bathery, along with Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar, Mr. Ravindranath said he had asked the Director of General Education to submit a comprehensive report regarding the issue.
An expert team led by the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) would inspect all schools in the district, Mr. Ravindranath said adding that if any irregularity or dearth of facilities was found in classrooms or toilet blocks, it would be rectified soon. Mr. Ravindranath announced a sum of ₹2 crore for the overall development of the Sarvajana school and asked the Sulthan Bathery municipality to draft a plan and estimate for the purpose. The government had already provided ₹1 core for improving the infrastructure facilities of the school, he said. The next Cabinet meeting would decide the financial assistance to be given to the kin of the deceased, Mr. Ravindranath said.
Earlier, Mr. Ravindranath expressed apology to the parents of the deceased on behalf of the Education Department and the State government. When Abdul Azeez, father of Shehala, brought the callousness on the part of the school and Health Department authorities to the attention of the Ministers, they consoled him by assuring that all responsible persons would be punished.
Black flags waved
The police arrested a group of Yuva Morcha and Youth Congress activists after they waved black fags at the Ministers at Traffic Junction and on the premises of the school.
Oppn. seeks probe
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala sought a comprehensive investigation into the death of Shehala. Speaking to mediapersons after visiting the parents, Mr. Chennithala said manslaughter case should be registered against responsible persons. Emergency financial assistance should be announced to the kin of the deceased and it should not be delayed, he said.
