Kochi: Education Minister V Sivankutty has ordered an urgent probe into allegations that a Class 5 student in Ernakulam was locked in a dark room as punishment for arriving late to school. He warned that such conduct will not be tolerated in any institution across the state.

The minister said the matter came to his attention following complaints.“If a student arrives late, the teacher may advise them not to repeat it. But confining a child in a way that could affect their mental well-being is not acceptable,” said Sivankutty.

Preliminary findings indicate that the institution in question does not follow the state syllabus. The Deputy Director of Education (DDE), Ernakulam, has been tasked with conducting an inquiry and submitting an immediate report on whether the incident violated provisions of child protection laws. Further action will follow based on the findings.

Sivankutty also noted that strict measures in recent years have reduced similar incidents in state-run schools. He acknowledged that the latest case underscores gaps in teacher training, particularly in schools outside the state syllabus framework.

When the boy’s father alleged mistreatment by the school authorities, they denied any wrongdoing, claiming the child was seated in another classroom, not confined to a dark room.