At the Byraikulam Government Lower Primary School in the heart of Kozhikode, it’s now more common to hear Hindi than Malayalam echo through the halls. Once a modest school for local children, it has gradually evolved into a melting pot of languages and cultures, thanks to the influx of migrant families from northern India.
“When I started teaching here a decade ago, we had just 10 students — a mix of local and migrant kids,” shared Geo Jaison, a teacher. “Today, nearly all our students are children of migrant workers.”
As more labourers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal arrive for work in restaurants, construction sites, and other trades, their families follow — and their children are enrolling in Kerala’s government schools.
For the first time in years, three Malayali students also joined the school. “They interact freely, picking up each other’s languages,” said headmistress Deepthi K P. Teachers have adapted too, using a mix of Hindi and Malayalam, especially during PTA meetings where many parents understand little Malayalam.
At Chalapuram’s Achuthan Girls’ LP School, headmistress Sumi S noted similar changes. “Around 30 of our students are children of migrant workers. Some come from very poor backgrounds, but they adapt quickly, often learning Malayalam fluently and even translating for their parents.”
To aid this transition, the government has launched the ‘Meethi Malayalam’ programme, training teachers to help non-native students learn Malayalam with ease.
Not all families stay long — some move back home without warning. But for those who do remain, Kerala offers more than jobs: it gives a sense of belonging, community, and opportunity.