The SC directed all the states to provide basic infrastructure such as drinking water, toilets and boundary walls in about 688,000 primary and 110,000 secondary schools run by the government.
The Supreme Court has directed all the states and the central government to provide basic infrastructure such as drinking water, toilets and boundary walls in about 688,000 primary and 110,000 secondary schools run by the government.
Giving a deadline of six months to complete the lingering job, a bench led by Justice KS Radhakrishnan on Wednesday asked the government to take proactive steps and fulfill its constitutional obligation for ensuring best possible education to children, a fundamental right under the Right to Education Act.
The judges passed this order on a PIL filed by Environmental & Consumer Protection Foundation in 2004 that had initially sought a direction to the Delhi government for providing education in government schools in secured and hygienic conditions.
Later, the court expanded its ambit as the petitioner’s lawyer, Ravindra Bana, had drawn its attention to the pathetic state of affairs in schools across the country.
Instead of passing another order for implementing its earlier directions that had been made from time to time, the court passed a judgment so that it could initiate contempt action against an erring state.
It also asked all the district magistrates in the country to file comprehensive affidavits regarding availability of basic facilities such as potable water, toilets both for boys and girls, electricity supply, boundary walls and mid-day meal in primary schools.
According to statistics, two-third of school going age children are enrolled in schools but the figures are deceptive as many of them don’t attend schools regularly. At least half of all students from rural areas drop out before completing school.
In an affidavit filed in May last, Maharashtra said there are 97,157 primary schools in the state; of them 89,338 schools have drinking water facility for children. It also revealed that 71,612 schools have electricity connection, 55,171 schools have boundary walls and 29,628 schools have common toilets, 69,053 schools have toilet facility for girls, 63,143 schools are having ramp facility and 30,568 schools have kitchen sheds.
In January last, the court had ruled that right to free and compulsory education of children of the age group of six to fourteen years is part of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21-A of the Constitution.
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