Yesterday, 9th April, The High Court criticized Delhi government over poor state of schools in Northeast district, highlighting lack of infrastructure and facilities. Court emphasizes displeasure with conditions such as broken desks, shortage of classrooms, and inadequate resources like furniture and books. Education Secretary pledges swift action to improve situation, including providing necessary resources to students promptly. Court directs Secretary to file detailed affidavit and hold accountable officials responsible for neglecting their duties.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court raised concerns on Monday regarding the inadequate infrastructure in government schools in the Northeast district of the capital city. Acknowledging the dismal condition of the schools, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequate facilities such as furniture, books, broken desks, and classroom shortages.
The court condemned the existing conditions, citing broken desks, missing teachers, and the use of a single classroom for multiple subjects simultaneously as a “very sad state of affairs.” Directly addressing the Delhi education secretary, the bench emphasized that the emphasis should not be on simply issuing advertisements but on significantly enhancing the educational environment. Highlighting instances of overcrowded classrooms, with up to 144 children in one room, the court emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
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The Education Secretary assured the court of prompt action, including providing necessary resources like books and furniture to students.
The court directed the Secretary to submit a detailed affidavit within a week and assign accountability to officials failing in their duties.
Lawyer Ashok Agrawal‘s report highlighted the extremely poor conditions in these schools, prompting the court’s intervention.
Both the Education Secretary and Agrawal instructed to visit these schools earlier.
The court emphasized the need for officials to assess conditions firsthand and questioned why no action taken against negligent officers. The court highlighted the disparity between the schools’ conditions and the lack of involvement from senior officials, noting the absence of feedback mechanisms. Justice Manmohan emphasized the possible repercussions of neglecting the education system, linking educational shortcomings to societal problems such as overcrowded jails.
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The court stated,
“You should already be aware; we shouldn’t have to summon you to court and inform you,”
In response to the assertion that a school operating from a tin-shed structure with combined sections, the court queried how students could effectively study in such hot weather conditions within a tin-shed building.
Explaining that the tin-shed structure a provisional arrangement, the Education Secretary guaranteed the court that students would soon be relocated to a permanent building.