A very sad incident happened in Kerala on June 23, 2025. A young girl who was studying in Class 9 died by suicide at her home. She was a student at St. Dominic’s Convent English Medium School. This school is located in a place called Sreekrishnapuram in Palakkad district, Kerala. Her name was Ashir Nanda. She was only around 14 years old. Her family and friends are very sad and shocked by what happened. Nobody expected such a small girl to take such a big step. The entire area is now talking about this heartbreaking news.
According to the family members of Ashir, she was a good student who loved going to school. But in recent days, her behaviour had changed. Her parents said that Ashir was very upset with how the school was treating her. The school had held many tests in a short period of time. Within just two months, the school conducted four tests for the students. After these tests, the school started reshuffling the students into different divisions based on their marks.
Ashir was placed into a lower division after the reshuffling happened. Her family said she felt humiliated and hurt because of this. They believe the school mentally tortured her by constantly reminding her that her marks were not good enough. Ashir was also made to write a letter to the school. In that letter, she was told to mention that she agreed to return to Class 8. The family says this made her feel more sad and embarrassed. They think the school forced her to write the letter.
The school authorities have denied these accusations. According to the school, they did not want to demote Ashir to Class 8. They said that they only asked her to attend some re-examinations so they could check her understanding. The school claims this is part of their regular process to help students who are weak in studies. But Ashir’s parents and relatives disagree with the school. They feel the pressure was too much for a young girl like Ashir to handle.
After the news of Ashir’s death spread, many people in the area were shocked. Student groups, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), organized protests. They demanded strict action against those responsible. The protesters blamed the school for causing mental stress to the girl. Parents and local people joined the protests. They asked for accountability and wanted answers from the school management. The angry crowd wanted the school authorities to understand the pain they caused.
The local police visited the school after the protests began. They talked to the school authorities and also met Ashir’s family. The police promised to look into the matter. They said they would take necessary steps if they found anyone guilty of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the teachers and management of the school called for a meeting with the parents. This meeting was planned as a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) gathering to discuss the concerns of the parents.
In that PTA meeting, many parents spoke openly about their problems with the school. They said the constant tests, reshuffling of students, and pressure to perform well were making their children anxious. They demanded that the school create a better, stress-free environment for students. The parents reminded the teachers that education should not be about only marks. It should focus on the overall well-being and happiness of students. Many parents supported Ashir’s family and asked the school to be more sensitive.
Ashir’s parents are deeply heartbroken. They said their daughter was a cheerful child who loved studying and playing. But the constant stress from the school destroyed her confidence. They feel the school did not handle the situation properly. Her family is now demanding justice for Ashir. They believe her death was not just a personal tragedy but also a failure of the education system. They want the school and authorities to make changes so that other children do not suffer like Ashir.
Some teachers from the school expressed sadness over what happened. They said no one wanted this tragedy to happen. But they also defended the school’s system, saying tests and reshuffling divisions are common in many schools. They claimed it helps identify students who need more support. However, parents and student groups argue that the process was too harsh. They believe the constant division reshuffling and pressure made young students feel like failures. They want the school to stop such practices immediately.
The Kerala government has not yet given an official statement on this incident. But there is growing public demand for strict rules to protect students’ mental health. Some people have asked the education department to investigate the school. They believe there should be guidelines to prevent schools from putting excessive pressure on children. Mental health experts have also spoken about the importance of creating supportive school environments. They said teachers should encourage students rather than demoralize them.
Many people in Kerala have expressed condolences to Ashir’s family. Social media is filled with messages of support and sorrow. People are sharing their own experiences about school pressure and mental health struggles. Several child rights activists have also spoken about the need for better student protection policies. They believe schools should be monitored regularly to ensure they are safe places for students. This incident has sparked a large conversation about how schools handle academic performance and mental well-being.
Some students from Ashir’s school shared that they too feel stressed by the constant reshuffling. They said students often fear being moved to lower divisions after tests. This creates a competitive and fearful environment rather than a healthy learning space. The students have requested the school management to rethink such policies. They want their school to focus more on learning, encouragement, and mental peace. The young students feel scared that the same thing could happen to others if changes are not made.
Psychologists say that teenagers are highly sensitive to stress and humiliation. They advise schools to be very careful in handling weak students. Demoting or reshuffling students can make them feel embarrassed in front of their peers. Mental health experts recommend counseling sessions, academic support, and positive reinforcement instead of punishment. They stress that a student’s self-worth should never be linked only to marks or academic ranks. Creating a kind, encouraging environment is the best way to help students succeed.
The parents’ association has decided to meet again to discuss future steps. Many parents are planning to submit a written complaint to the education department. They want authorities to review the policies of St. Dominic’s Convent School. The parents believe that only proper intervention can prevent future tragedies. They have also asked the school to hire trained counselors to support students. Many believe mental health education should be made compulsory in schools to raise awareness among teachers and students.
Ashir’s classmates and friends remember her as a sweet, smiling girl. They are deeply saddened by her sudden death. Her friends said she was hurt by how the school treated her after the tests. They shared that Ashir was always afraid of being judged for her marks. The entire classroom atmosphere changed after the reshuffling happened. Students started feeling scared about their positions. Ashir’s friends hope that the school will learn from this tragedy and make sure no other student feels the same pain.
Local leaders have also visited Ashir’s home to express condolences. Some leaders have promised to take up this issue with the education minister. They want strict guidelines to be made for all schools to prevent similar incidents. Many believe that academic competition should not destroy a child’s confidence. Every student has different strengths, and schools must recognize that. Some leaders have suggested that schools organize workshops for teachers on how to handle students with care and empathy.
The tragic loss of Ashir Nanda has shaken the entire community. It has highlighted the urgent need to balance academic performance with mental health. People believe that exams and marks should not decide a child’s worth. The focus should be on helping children learn and grow happily. Parents, teachers, and authorities must work together to create a safe, positive school environment. Everyone hopes that Ashir’s death will not be in vain. They want this incident to bring real change in schools for the well-being of all students.