Global Public School, which is in the eye of a storm following the alleged suicide of a 15-year-old student owing to reported bullying, did not have no-objection certificate (NOC) to offer international curriculum, the Education department authorities in Ernakulam have found.

However, the school did have NOC issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). A report to this effect has been submitted to Director of General Education (DGE) S. Shanavas by the Deputy Director of Education, Ernakulam.

Apart from CBSE, the school has been offering Cambridge IGSCE and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula since 2018-19. While the Cambridge IGSCE curriculum is offered for Classes 6 to 12, the IB syllabus is offered for Classes 1 to 5, besides Classes 11 and 12. The victim was enrolled in the IGSCE curriculum.

Mr. Shanavas had earlier this month held a hearing with regard to the death of the student and collected statements of parents of the victim, the Principal, and other officials of the school. The authorities of a CBSE school where he previously studied were also summoned. The managements of both schools were asked to produce the NOCs issued by the department.

“We came to know that the school affiliated to the CBSE offered the twin international curriculum only now. We have reported the matter to the DGE. It is now for the government to take a call on the matter,” said sources in the Education department.

The school on its part claimed that it had applied for NOC with the District Education Office (DEO) for the international curriculum initially when it started the Cambridge IGSCE curriculum in 2018 and later when the IB curriculum was introduced a year later for which the school had received acknowledgements.

“We also received a response to one of the applications from the DEO stating that it had no provision to issue NOC for international curriculum but only for the curriculum offered by the State and national boards. We believe that it is the case with all the schools offering international curriculum,” said Dilip George, Dean and Principal, Global Public School.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team led by the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner continues the investigation into the alleged suicide. “The Puthencruz police are verifying whether ragging had taken place as alleged by the victim’s family in which case that will also be factored in,” sources said.

(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056, State’s health helpline 104, Maithri – 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre – 0495-2760000.)