Students of Wayanad school protest seeking revocation of principal’s transfer over alleged lapses during study tour

Higher secondary students of Government Higher Secondary School, Meenangadi, Wayanad, staged a protest on Monday (November 2, 2026) seeking revocation of the recent transfer of their principal Shibi Krishnan. The Higher Education department took action against him claiming that official guidelines were not followed during a study tour undertaken by the students last week.

According to reports, the sequence of events began after over 130 students went on the tour in separate buses to Hyderabad. While returning, a section of students alleged that Hajis Ulladan, the PTA president, had consumed alcohol. Videos of the PTA president in an intoxicated condition were subsequently sent to the parents through social media. Rumours spread that Mr. Krishnan too was drunk. When the students reached the school, angry parents and some political activists blocked him at the gate. Police personnel were subsequently called in, who escorted Mr. Krishnan to safety.

However, lab results of his blood samples revealed no trace of alcohol. The students who were part of the tour also came in his support, saying Mr. Krishnan had not consumed liquor and that Mr. Ulladan had been shifted to another vehicle when the complaint arose.

Meanwhile, the Regional Deputy Director of Education conducted an inquiry into the episode and found out that the school authorities had not sought permission to conduct the tour. Also, a three-day tour was reportedly extended to five days. Mr. Krishnan was subsequently transferred to Government Higher Secondary School, Vaduvanchal.

Officials of the school management committee told the media on Monday that Mr. Krishnan had been framed in the episode for political reasons. He is a leader of the pro-Left Kerala School Teachers’ Association. The officials also said that though the school authorities had sought the mandatory permission from the higher authorities, there was no response to it.