Vaikom ∙ The head teacher took her own life because she might not bear the workload and was rejected by the Education Minister, demanding that her promotion be cancelled. Vaikom Polashery Govt. Maliekal Putantara K. Sreeja (48), head teacher of LP School, was found hanging dead inside her house on Friday evening. Relatives say that mental stress due to workload was the reason for suicide.
Husband Ramesh Kumar Vaikom Munsiff is a court employee. Son: Karthik. Sreeja’s cremation was performed. Vaikom police registered a case of unnatural death. Vaikom Govt. Sreeja, who was a teacher in Girls’ High School, was promoted as Headmistress of Keezhur GLPS on June 1. He returned to work the next day but took leave as he might not bear the pressure of more responsible work.
On July 7, Sreeja filed an application with the Education Minister seeking cancellation of the promotion citing her husband’s illness. The application was to be appointed as a teacher in the school where she had previously worked in the Vaikom area. Kumilangad Upazila Education Officer replied to Sreeja that there is no provision in the rules to consider the application. Sreeja was transferred to Vaikom Polashery LPS on August 4.
∙ “The mother was suffering from mental stress due to many reasons since she was promoted. She sought treatment at a private hospital in Kakkanadu. The doctor also suggested that she should refrain from heavy responsible work to regain full mental health. After that, she applied to cancel her promotion as headmistress and allow her to continue as a teacher. She did not receive any consideration from the authorities. Action was taken once morest the concerned authorities. A complaint will be filed with the police asking for acceptance.” – Karthik Ramesh, son
∙ “No direct complaint has been received in this regard in the Vaikom AEO office.” – Preeta Ramachandran, Deputy Director, Education Department, Vaikom Ex-AEO
∙ “Humane consideration should have been given in Sreeja’s case. In the past, promotion cancellations have taken place in Pathanamthitta and Malappuram. The authorities should have responded to Sreeja’s teacher only following checking the reference situations. Such a situation should not be repeated.” – Kerala Pradesh School Teachers Assoc. Vaikom Upazila Committee
