Kerala Teen Committed Suicide After Failing To Attend Online Classes

A class 9 student set herself on fire after being unable to attend her online classes because she didn’t have a smartphone and her family’s TV was out of order. The new academic session in Kerala started yesterday with online classes.

The incident took place at Valancherry, Malappuram, on Monday evening, just hours after the online classes began while the educational institutions remain closed during the lockdown.

Senior police sources reported that Devika, 14 years old, committed suicide by setting herself on fire near her home. Her father described her as a bright student, who was nervous since their television hadn’t been working for a long time and no one in the family had a smartphone. Her grandmother said that Devika was depressed and upset when she couldn’t attend the online class.

The 14-year-old was missing since Monday afternoon, her body was found near her house, according to police sources. Her father is a casual worker and has been having financial problems due to the nationwide lockdown.

Ubaid Hussain Thangal, MLA, accused the authorities of failing to prepare for the launch of online classes, which resulted in the unfortunate incident. Thousands of students lack the needed tools for learning online.

Named First Bell, the online classes are telecast via VICTERS Channel for classes 1 through 12, on weekdays, from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM.

According to Malappuram SP Abdul Kareem, Devika’s death was confirmed suicide after preliminary investigation. Professor C Raveendran, the education minister, has sought a report on the incident.

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