Expresses dissatisfaction over status report of Secy Education
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by All Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers Federation seeking proper student-teacher ratio in the schools without any discrimination, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan today said that right to education is a fundamental right of every child and deficiencies in school infrastructure cannot be tolerated.
After hearing Advocate Pranav Kohli for the PIL whereas AAG Ravinder Gupta for the State, the DB observed, “it is evident from the status report that the Education Department is not concerned about even assessing deficiencies let along proceeding to supply the same in any planed manner”.
“On July 24, 2018 concerned over lack of infrastructure in schools this court had granted four weeks’ time as prayed for to the Additional Advocate General to file status report with regard to status of infrastructure in the schools in rural and urban areas. But this was not done”, the DB said.
On request, time was extended four times thereafter–firstly on 07.09.2018 and thereafter on 10.10.2018, 12.11.2018 as well as 26.11.2018. On the last date, it was directed that failure to comply with the order dated July 24, 2018, we will invite the personal appearance of the Secretary to Government, Education Department along with complete record, the DB said.
“In purported compliance of the directions dated July 24, 2018, the report dated December 21, 2018 has been filed by Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, wherein reference is made to only dispensation of funds for 100% saturation of toilets in all schools by or before March 31, 2019. Additionally, we are informed that the funds are also being arranged and required directions are being issued for provision of drinking water and electricity supply by May 2019”, the DB further observed, adding “it has also been submitted that the Education Department is contemplating to achieve construction of boundary walls in all schools over a period of five years subject to resources”.
“This narration would show that in six months, the respondents are not able to inform this court with regard to time lines within which the infrastructure in schools would be arranged for let alone provided. We are not even given an audit of the deficiencies in the infrastructure. There is no reference to books and school uniforms, as to whether the State has any provision for providing the same to students”, the DB noted with concern.
Accordingly, the DB directed Secretary, Department of Education to appear before court on the next date of hearing. “The Secretary shall also place before this court the complete details of deficiencies and the time lines within which the same would be supplied”, the DB added.
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