The Chhattisgarh High Court has reacted to a report revealing severe sanitation problems in Bilaspur District’s government schools, where 150 lack toilets and over 200 have unusable ones. The court emphasized the risks faced by female students and teachers due to these conditions and called for immediate government action to address the issue.
Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of a shocking newspaper report published in Dainik Bhaskar, which exposed severe sanitation issues in government schools across Bilaspur District. The report highlighted that 150 government schools do not have toilets, while over 200 schools have unusable toilets due to poor maintenance.
The lack of sanitation facilities is severely affecting students and teachers, particularly female students and staff, who are forced to relieve themselves in open areas. The report also revealed that many female teachers are resorting to unhealthy practices, such as drinking less water to avoid the need for toilets. In extreme cases, some female teachers are paying Rs. 200 per month to use private toilets in nearby homes.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal expressed strong displeasure over the situation.
“The plight of the students and the staff, especially the girl child and lady staff, can be very well understood when they are compelled to go for answering nature’s call in an open area, which is a matter of shame for all,”
the Court stated.
The judges further emphasized that the lack of toilets puts female students and staff at risk, as they become vulnerable to anti-social elements. The Court stressed that students and teachers deserve a hygienic and safe school environment.
The Court questioned how such an alarming situation exists despite the state government allocating crores of rupees for education each year.
“It is beyond understanding as to when there is no dearth of funds and crores of rupees are being invested by the State every year, how the aforesaid situation is prevailing and what the authorities responsible for the management of the schools are doing?”
The judges further remarked that poor sanitation facilities might be one of the key reasons why female students drop out of school and fail to complete their primary education.
Highlighting the struggles faced by teachers, the Court stated,
“If the teaching staff has to struggle for the most basic amenity of a clean toilet, how can it be expected that they would perform their duty with full dedication, especially when the situation is affecting their health and causing infections?”
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The Court strongly criticized the authorities, stating that it is
“high time that the responsible authorities of the State wake up from their deep slumber and take concrete steps to improve the prevailing situation.”
The High Court has directed the Secretary of the School Education Department, Government of Chhattisgarh (respondent No. 2), to file a personal affidavit addressing the sanitation crisis before the next hearing on February 10.
This move by the High Court signals a strong push for immediate government action, as the basic right to hygiene and sanitation in schools cannot be ignored any longer.
Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. State Of Chhattisgarh & Ors.
Read the Order here:
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