Deviant children emerging as a social concern in Kerala schools

A large number of teachers in Kerala are alarmed over a reported rise in instances of deviant behaviour among students, especially those in higher secondary classes in government schools, and have sought steps from the Education department and the police to address the social issue.

Functionaries of the Higher Secondary School Teachers’ Association (HSSTA), an organisation of teachers in government higher secondary schools, claim that such incidents have recently been reported from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod, and other districts in the State as well.

M. Riyas, State treasurer, HSSTA, says that a teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, East Hill, Kozhikode, was physically attacked by a student and humiliated by his mother on August 6, in the course of a conversation to discuss his wayward behaviour.

In 2024, a group entered the staff room of the Government Higher Secondary School, Pannur, and threatened teachers. Mr. Riyas says that another teacher was suspended from service recently based on a complaint by a girl student, after he spotted her copying during an examination.

In 2023, the front door of one teacher’s house was set on fire after he took action against a student for ragging at the Government Higher Secondary School, Puthuppady. The head of another woman teacher at the same school was smashed against a wall for intervening in a clash between students, he says.

A psychologist working in the Health department, who wished not to be quoted, says that many children are found to be struggling to control themselves now. “Too much screentime is affecting their attention span, patience, and respect for limits. Children are not used to discipline because of poor parenting. There are cases of parents being overprotective or they are not setting rules at home. Peer pressure among students and the increasing use of drugs is making the situation worse, as these can lead to aggression and poor decision-making. Without strong guidance from both home and the school, children often test their limits and disrespect authority,” he says.

Laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act are also reportedly being misused by a section of students and parents.

“The teachers are scared that if they raise their voice or correct a child, they might face complaints, departmental action, or legal trouble. This fear has taken away the authority the teachers once had. As a result, the students are less afraid of breaking rules,” the psychologist points out.

Poor attention span, impulsive decision-making, low empathy, and reduced problem-solving skills are the psychological issues they face while sleep disturbances, eye strain from excess screen time, headaches, fatigue, and health risks from substance abuse are the physical issues they encounter with, he adds.

While the police has been accused of being lethargic towards the issue, there is also a demand to strengthen initiatives such as Our Responsibility to Children, a project under the Department of Women and Child Development to identify and scientifically address deviancies and other vulnerabilities of children and integrate them to the social mainstream.