For more than five years, Aleena Benny, a 29-year-old woman, taught students in a church-run aided school in Kerala’s Kozhikode without taking home a single rupee as salary. Aleena, who worked as a temporary teacher at the St Joseph Lower Primary School, Kodencheri, under the Thamarassery Diocese was found dead at her residence on Wednesday, February 19. Police said she took her own life.
Aleena’s father, Benny, told TNM that she was emotionally distressed due to non-payment of salary. Benny also alleged that the management cheated them by making an appointment that was not legally valid. “We didn’t know that there was no vacancy for a permanent teacher when she joined the school,” Benny alleged.
Media reports quoting Aleena’s family had stated that they paid Rs 13 Lakh to the management for the job. Speaking to TNM Benny said they did not have evidence to prove the allegation and did not wish to speak about it.
Aleena was denied salaries while she worked with Nazareth LP School and later at the school in Kodenchery which she joined in June 2024. Media reports said when she was relieved from the school, the management allegedly made her write an affidavit stating that she’s forgoing the salary. However, Benny told TNM that he is not aware of this.
While at Kodencheri school, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) provided her with travel expenses.
“She never received any salary. When she was transferred to Kodencherry, the school’s PTA provided Rs 3,000 for travel expenses, as it was 25 km away from her residence," Benny said. Whenever she brought up the question of salary, the management assured that the issue would be resolved soon.
Media reports quoting the school management said Aleena's application for the permanent appointment was submitted to the General Education Department and the delay was due to an error in the application form.
V Sivankutty, the Education Minister of Kerala said, the Director of Public Education had been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation in this matter and submit a report.
Thousands of teachers in government-aided schools in Kerala have been working without salary benefits as their appointments have not been approved by the General Education Department. Approvals were granted only to aided schools which implemented the quota for the differently-abled.
Thamarassery police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) for unnatural death.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.