After student suicide, Ashish Sood urges schools to build emotionally safe ecosystems

Following the tragic suicide of a Class 10 student, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has written a strongly worded letter to the Principal of St. Columba’s School, Brother Robert Fernandes, stating that he was writing “not merely as a minister, but as a concerned parent.” He expressed grief over the loss and emphasised the shared responsibility of institutions, educators, and society at large.

Quoting from Abraham Lincoln’s famous letter to his son’s teacher, Minister Sood reminded schools that children must be taught with both strength and gentleness.

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Lincoln’s words, “Teach him to listen to all men, but filter all he hears on a screen of truth,” were invoked by the minister as a guiding philosophy for modern education.

In his note, the minister stressed the need for schools to move beyond procedural compliance and create emotionally safe, empathetic, and responsive ecosystems. He highlighted that present-day students face unprecedented pressures and require support systems that are proactive rather than reactive.

The minister outlined key expectations from all Delhi schools, including strengthening emotional and psychological support systems and ensuring early identification of distress among students. He also stressed the importance of training and sensitising teachers on mental-health issues, adding that peer support and open communication channels must be encouraged.

Sood further urged schools to prioritise students’ happiness, confidence, and well-being. He assured that the Delhi government is prepared to work closely with both public and private schools to reinforce mental-health frameworks, counselling infrastructure, and teacher-training initiatives.

He has also sought a response from St. Columba’s School regarding its internal review and any support it may require from the government.

Calling the incident “a heartbreaking wake-up call,” Sood said the child’s memory must inspire systemic improvements across Delhi. He asserted that no child should ever feel unheard or unseen in school and must be provided an environment that nurtures not just intellect, but emotional well-being as well.