Fri Jul 18 07:51:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A Class VIII student in Kollam, Kerala, named Midhun, tragically died after being electrocuted while trying to retrieve footwear from the roof of a bicycle shed on school property. The Kerala General Education department is taking swift action, suspending the headmistress of Thevalakkara Boys High School and issuing a show-cause notice to the school management, demanding a response within three days. An explanation will also be sought from the assistant education officer (AEO). Counseling will be provided to Midhun’s classmates to address potential trauma. The government will provide immediate financial assistance of ₹3 lakh to Midhun’s family, with discussions for further support underway. The Minister for General Education emphasized the school’s negligence in failing to report hazardous electrical infrastructure, despite a clear directive in the May 13th circular on school reopening preparations.
**News Article:**
**Student’s Electrocution Leads to Headmistress Suspension in Kerala**
**Thiruvananthapuram, July 18, 2025** – The Kerala General Education department has taken strong action following the tragic death of Midhun, a Class VIII student at Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam. Midhun was electrocuted on Thursday while attempting to retrieve a shoe from the roof of a bicycle shed within the school premises.
Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty announced at a press conference today that the school’s headmistress has been suspended, and a show-cause notice has been issued to the school management, demanding a response within three days. The Minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident, referring to Midhun as “a son of the State.”
In addition to the headmistress’s suspension, the department will seek an explanation from Assistant Education Officer (AEO) Antony Peter, who held additional charge of the District Education Officer (DEO) during the school’s reopening period.
The government has pledged immediate financial assistance of ₹3 lakh to Midhun’s family from the General Education department’s public deposit account. Further financial support will be considered after the Chief Minister returns from New Delhi. The deceased student’s younger brother will be exempt from examination fees and other charges until Class XII.
Minister Sivankutty reiterated that a circular issued on May 13th outlining school reopening preparations explicitly instructed schools to report any hazardous electrical infrastructure to the Kerala State Electricity Board. He emphasized that it was the school’s responsibility to follow up on these issues and, failing that, to escalate the matter to higher authorities or the Minister himself. “Any negligence is not acceptable,” he stated.
The department has also committed to providing counselling to Midhun’s classmates to address potential post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the incident.
First Piper 