Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 28: The Health and Medical Education Department today said that 263 unfit and unhygienic schools have been thrown open in different flood hit districts of Kashmir division.
In its status report filed by the Health and Medical Education Department before the division bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court today said that 275 schools were re-opened after floods out of which 263 are unhygienic and unfit.
The status report, as per the information furnished by the Director Health Services Kashmir, obtained from the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of different districts, reveals that 20 schools in district Bandipora, 91 schools in district Kulgam, 17 schools in district Budgam, 50 schools in district Srinagar, 33 schools in district Anantnag, 52 schools in district Pulwama are unhygienic. The report says all schools except 12 schools in Shopian district are hygienic where chlorination has been done and children have been vaccinated.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey after perusal of the report recorded: “According to the report of H&ME Department highlighting the condition of schools is unhygienic and the buildings are unfits for that reason to function”.
The Bench also observed that no status report has been filed by Education Department, R&B Department and Municipality. Court has given them two days time to file the report and posted the matter for further hearing on October 30.
During the course of arguments, Advocate G A Lone, appointed as amicus by the HC, raised the issue of examinations. Advocate Shabir Naik, representing Education Department told the court that Government decided to hold the examination in the month of March 2015.
The bench directed: “Let the copy of decision be placed on record with the affidavit of a responsible officer.”
Advocate Lone also raised an issue of charging of fee, bus fees and other charges by the Private Schools like Delhi Public School, Mallinson School, Tyndale Biscoe School, Convent Presentation School for the month of September and October.
Court directed Lone to furnish the list and address of these schools so that notice court be issued to them.
Bench was hearing a PIL where in serious note was take by the court with regard to re-opening of flood hit schools without issuing safety certificate by the concerned authorities. Court had also taken note that children are being asked to undertake the cleanliness.
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