A life lost, a state mourns: School safety under fire after Kollam tragedy | #schoolsaftey #kids #parents #children


The incident has sparked a blame game between the school and KSEB, with each accusing the other of negligence. The school claims it had flagged the dangerous overhead lines earlier

Published Jul 17, 2025 | 8:57 PMUpdated Jul 17, 2025 | 8:57 PM

A life lost, a state mourns: School safety under fire after Kollam tragedy

Synopsis: A 13-year-old student, Midhun, was electrocuted at Thevalakkara Boys HSS in Kerala’s Kollam district on Thursday morning, triggering public anger and highlighting safety lapses in schools. Midhun, a recent transfer from Pattakadavu School, died around 8:30 a.m. while playing before assembly. The incident occurred after a slipper landed on the roof of the bicycle shed, where he was fatally electrocuted.

In a tragic incident that has sparked public outrage and raised serious concerns about safety standards in schools across Kerala, a 13-year-old student was electrocuted on the premises of Thevalakkara Boys Higher Secondary School in Kollam district on Thursday morning.

The victim, Midhun, a Class VIII student, had only recently joined the school, having transferred from Pattakadavu School a month ago as part of his high school admission.

Tragic morning unfolds

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. while Midhun and his friends were playing on campus before the morning assembly.

According to eyewitness accounts and school authorities, a slipper had fallen onto the roof of the school’s bicycle shed during their playtime. Midhun used a classroom bench and a stick to climb to the rooftop in an attempt to retrieve it.

However, while doing so, he lost his balance and came into contact with a low-lying live electric wire that was passing just above the shed. He suffered a fatal electric shock.

Though Midhun was immediately rushed to the Sasthamkotta Taluk Hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

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A young life cut short

Midhun was the only child of Manu, a daily-wage labourer, and Suja, who has been working as a home nurse in Kuwait for the past three months.

On most school days, Midhun travelled by bus, but on Thursday, Manu dropped him off on his scooter. Suja had spoken to both her husband and son that very morning from Turkey, where she was accompanying the family she works for on a trip.

Attempts to contact her after the incident were initially unsuccessful, adding another layer of heartbreak to the family’s tragedy. Later on the day, the family was able to inform Suja. It’s learnt that the cremation of Midhun will be decided upon Suja’s convenience.

According to relatives, Midhun may have been trying to retrieve not his own slipper but that of a friend — a detail that has deepened the grief in the community.

Warnings ignored? Blame game begins

The shocking incident has triggered a blame game between the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the school authorities. Both sides are accusing the other of negligence.

The school management claims it had already alerted the KSEB about the risky overhead lines near the school compound and had requested urgent action to remove or reposition them.

However, KSEB officials counter that a meeting had been held with the school just two days earlier, during which school authorities were asked to initiate safety measures.

Despite this back-and-forth, serious questions are being raised about how the school obtained a fitness certificate in the first place — particularly when state regulations prohibit the presence of low-hanging electrical lines near educational institutions.

Government responds with multiple probes

The Kerala state government has swung into action following the tragedy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow over Midhun’s death, describing it as “extremely sad.”

He directed General Education Minister V. Sivankutty to personally visit the grieving family and coordinate with the concerned departments.

Sivankutty, who is also the state president of the Scouts and Guides, announced that the government will construct a new house for Midhun’s family with the involvement of the Scouts and Guides. The family, it’s said was waiting for a house under the LIFE Mission housing scheme.

The Chief Electrical Inspector and the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Kollam Electrical Circle have been asked to conduct an urgent inquiry. Meanwhile, the Director of General Education has also been tasked with submitting a report on the incident. A preliminary report was later submitted to Sivankutty in the evening which point out to certain lapses from the part of the school authorities.

Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty called the boy’s death “unfortunate” and confirmed that a detailed probe would be carried out without delay.

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Human Rights Commission takes suo motu cognizance

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case in connection with Midhun’s death, based on media reports.

Commission member V. Geetha directed the Director of General Education and the Kollam Rural District Police Chief to file a detailed report within 14 days. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights office bearers will visit the victim’s house on Friday.

Political and public outcry

Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the tragedy and demanded accountability.

MLA Kovoor Kunjumon stated, “If there has been a lapse, the department concerned must accept responsibility. It appears there was a serious failure on the part of the KSEB.”

Congress state president K. Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan visited the family and harshly criticized the government and education department. Satheesan questioned, “If children cannot be kept safe in schools, why do we need such a government?”

The opposition has demanded a statewide safety audit of all schools and strict action against officials responsible for lapses in safety protocols.

Student organizations call for protest

In response to the incident, the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have jointly announced a statewide school strike on Friday, 18 July 2025, to protest against what they describe as the government’s apathy towards student safety.

Midhun’s death has laid bare the glaring gaps in school safety infrastructure in Kerala. The presence of live electrical lines near a school campus — despite warnings and regulations — underscores the urgent need for systemic change.

As investigations unfold and grief grips the state, Midhun’s tragic death may well serve as a somber turning point in the conversation about safety in public institutions.

(Edited by Ananya Rao)



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