CBSE school in Kochi warned that its NOC will be revoked if it continued with medieval disciplinary measures

The Kerala State General Education department has warned a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) school at Kakkanad in Kochi that it will be stripped of its No Objection Certificate (NOC) if it continued with its allegedly medieval disciplinary measures.

This was after a Class V student and his family accused the school of making him run multiple rounds around the school ground under the sun for late arrival and leaving him alone in a room, without allowing him to attend class, on Thursday (August 14, 2025). The incident was reported from the Cochin Public School in Thrikkakara in Ernakulam district.

Notice served

Education Minister V. Sivankutty sought a report on the incident from the Deputy Director of Education (DDE), Ernakulam. The DDE office officials visited the school and served a notice warning that the NOC would be suspended unless the school ceased its allegedly medieval disciplinary measures.

“The school authorities were receptive and agreed to do away with such disciplinary measures, which involve denying permission for students who come late to school for more than three days to attend class. Either parents will have to take them back home or they will be made to sit in a room alone. They are also made to run multiple rounds around the ground. These people seem to have been caught up in a time warp. We will issue a copy of the notice to the Regional Director of CBSE as well for a potential inquiry,” said DDE sources.

Reportedly, the family of the student and the school Principal had a heated exchange over the incident.

The school authorities were not available for comments despite repeated attempts. A woman at the school who picked up the call curtly said that a meeting was under way and disconnected the call.

Protest march

Activists of student outfits, including the Students Federation of India and the Kerala Students Union, took out a protest march and barged into the school. They were removed by the police. “We haven’t received any complaint from the family without which we cannot take any action,” said the Thrikkakara police. Reportedly, the family has lodged a petition with the school management against the Principal.