Girl's suicide not due to lack of seats for plus one, says Education Minister Sivankutty

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Wednesday termed the suicide of a girl student in Malappuram district as unfortunate, while dismissing claims that it was due to not getting a plus one seat during admissions.

The minister’s statement comes amid intensifying criticism from opposition parties over alleged seat shortages in schools for higher secondary students in Malappuram.

Speaking in the assembly, Sivankutty stated that details of the girl’s death, a state-run school 10th pass-out in Parappanangadi, were being investigated by the police.

”Preliminary information suggests the student would have secured a seat. Only the first phase of allotment is over, with more phases and community quota admissions beginning today,” he said.

Sivankutty explained that almost all students would gain admission by the third phase of allotment.

Further supplementary allotments would follow, with classes starting June 24, ensuring all students have a place, he added. ”It’s heartbreaking that the child left us without waiting for this,” the minister said, urging media to avoid causing additional mental stress to students and parents through ”unnecessary discussions” about plus one admissions.