KERALA HIGH COURT ASKS STATE TO ENSURE DROP BOXES IN SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR COMPLAINTS ANONYMOUSLY

The Kerala High Court in the case Faizal Kulappadam @ Faizal N v. State of Kerala & Ors observed and directed the Education Department to install drop boxes in all schools in the state for students, for the students to submit their grievances and concerns anonymously.

The Division bench comprising of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly observed and issued the order finding that circulars issued by the government in this regard had not been implemented in all schools.

The bench observed that this court is of the view that wherever the drop boxes have not been installed and the same have to be done in all Government or aided and unaided schools, as expeditiously as possible.

The Court further directed all the Deputy Director of Education, all the Regional Deputy Director of Education (HSE Section), all the Assistant Directors (VHSE Section) and all the District or Assistant Educational Officers, a report is to be send periodical to the Director of General Education, Thiruvananthapuram for setting out the nature of complaints and the finality of the same.

It was also directed by the Court that the State General Education Department to issue appropriate directions for effective monitoring and execution of the same and to put an effective means for the same in place.

A Government order in 2016 was issued by the General Educational Departement of the State on the request of the Child Welfare Commission, the order directed all schools including government or aided and unaided which include Higher Secondary, Vocational Higher Secondary Schools to set up complaint boxes.

The order elaborates on how to deal with a complaint from a student, In these Complaint boxes students can anonymously drop in their complaints, vexations and concerns, particularly relating to any sexual harassment or any physical abuse, the students could be facing.

An Advocate Jomy K Jose moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), alleging that due to the lackadaisical approach on the part of the respondents, the majority of the schools had failed to set up such complaint boxes in the State.

However, It was argued that the inertness on the part of the respondents in taking action against the schools which failed to implement the directions contained in Exhibit P1 Government Order is absolutely illegal, the petitioner sought to implement the GO.

The Director of the General Education Department filed a statement on the court’s instructions, communicating that the GO has been implemented and subsequently, instructions have also been issued.

Several circulars were also issued by the Government Pleader K.R Ranjith that were issued over the years for the implementation of the GO.

The PIL was disposed of the court with directions to expeditiously implement the GO in all schools where complaint boxes had not yet been installed.

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