A teacher at St. Joseph’s UP School, Kunnoth, has been temporarily removed from duty by the management following allegations of inhuman treatment of a sixth-grade student who collapsed in the classroom after feeling dizzy.

The Thalassery Diocese Corporate Educational Agency, which manages the school, has ordered the temporary removal of Sister Linto Joseph and appointed a special committee to investigate the incident. According to a complaint submitted by the student’s parents, the teacher allegedly asked the child, who was lying unconscious on the classroom floor, whether she had “died” and allegedly kicked her. The child reportedly suffers from fluctuations in blood sodium levels and regularly takes medication. Relatives said the school authorities were aware of her condition.

The incident occurred around noon on Wednesday when classmates informed the head teacher. The class teacher allegedly questioned why the student had not informed her directly. She is then alleged to have kicked the child while she was still lying on the floor.

The parents later confronted the teacher, who initially denied the allegations. They subsequently staged a protest at the school demanding her dismissal.

School authorities, however, denied that the teacher had kicked or verbally abused the student. The teacher is understood to have admitted that she had failed to handle the situation appropriately. The management has now initiated a formal inquiry into the allegations.

Acting on reports of the alleged incident, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. Commission member B. Mohankumar registered the suo motu case and has sought reports from the Deputy Director of Education, Kannur, and the Station House Officer of the Iritty police station.