A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking directives to the government for implementing its own rules issued in 2006 and ensure that children do not have to carry heavy bags to school daily.
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking directives to the government for implementing its own rules issued in 2006 and ensure that children do not have to carry heavy bags to school daily.
What does the plea ask for?
The PIL was filed by Chembur based social worker Swati Patil. In her petition, she has relied on a certificate issued by a doctor from the civic run KEM hospital stating that children may suffer from backaches, spondylosis, neck pain, and other orthopaedic problems if they continue to carry heavy bags regularly.
A division bench of Justices VM Kanade and AR Joshi has posted the PIL for hearing on April 17.
What do the rules of 2006 incorporate?
Patil said that in 2006, the education department had issued a few rules which included schools making provisions of lockers for allowing students to keep their books and bags. Also incorporated, was allowing the use of a common notebook for related subjects like history and civics, and providing water coolers in each classroom.
However, these rules were not implemented, because the department said that 'if possible', the schools 'can' implement them.
According to the petitioner, what action should be taken?
The petition adds that strict initiatives and follow ups should be done by the government across Maharashtra and 'those (schools) who are not following the rule shall be made liable under civil law and criminal law'.
Patil's PIL asks that the government grant, government facilities and benefits of schools not following the rules may be stopped. Her plea reads: "On an average, Rs260 crore is given as part of the Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan to the state government. If the state is willing, then surely, the rules can be implemented."
Parentspeak
A parent, Yamini Mohan said: "I can barely lift their (kids') bags. It is compulsory to carry two to three textbooks and notebooks for each subject."
She added that her son's teachers do not specify what they are going to teach when they say
(for example) science, social studies or English, which compels them to carry all their books. "I think they should specify the timetable properly so that the weight on their backs can be reduced," Mohan said.
— With inputs from Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Manjiri Chitre and Aishwarya Iyer
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