"Children should not be locked in but need value-based education": Kerala High Court on high school girl being used as drug carrier

The Kerala High on Thursday observed that schools should provide value-based education so that children learn to become responsible and safe [Fiona Joseph & Ors. v State of Kerala & Ors]..The observations came in light of a recent news report as per which a class 9 student was found to be a carrier of drugs for people whom she had met on social networking site, Instagram."Drugs are no life. Children should understand that. Value-based education should start. This generation should guard themselves...,“ single-judge Justice Devan Ramachandran underscored.The girl in question was allegedly involved in a drug gang for three years and had been using drugs since class 7, reports said.It was reported that the matter came to light when the girl’s mother noticed cut marks on the girl’s hand and subsequently noticed her talking to strangers while going to school.She informed the school management and later on lodged a complaint with the Childline and the Assistant Commissioner of Police at the Kozhikode City Medical College Police Station.A special investigation force is currently looking into this matter..The Court made this observation while considering a petition that was filed in 2022 regarding discriminative hostel curfew timing for boys and girls.In the said plea, the Court had passed a judgment directing all principals and other concerned authorities of medical colleges to act in terms of the Government Order dated December 6, 2022, which stipulates that the closing time of gates for both girls and boys to be 9.30 PM.The Court had kept this case open to have an open discussion on this matter and to hear various opinions.On Thursday, the Court said that it doesn't want the girls and boys to be locked in but the incidents that are happening are undoubtfully concerning."I am not saying women and men should be locked in. I am not in favor of control but seeing the things that are happening ..We are concerned. What I am saying children might not like it. Freedom is not you can do whatever you want but it is what you ought to do," the Court said.The matter will be heard next after 10 days.