The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government, MCD and NDMC to conduct a four-week survey of all government-run schools in the capital. The survey will assess whether schools meet mandatory infrastructure and staffing norms under the RTE Act, 2009.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to carry out a detailed survey of all government-run schools in the national capital.
The purpose of the survey is to identify gaps and shortcomings in infrastructure that schools are legally required to provide under existing education laws.
The direction was passed on Wednesday by a Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The Court ordered that the entire survey exercise must be completed within four weeks.
It further directed that the process should be closely supervised by senior officials, including the Education Secretary of the Delhi government, the Commissioner of the MCD and the Chairman of the NDMC.
The High Court made it clear that the final report submitted to the Court must clearly show whether government schools are complying with the standards laid down under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, commonly known as the RTE Act. The Court noted that this law makes it compulsory for schools to maintain certain minimum facilities and academic standards.
As per the Schedule of the RTE Act, elementary schools must have sufficient teachers according to fixed pupil-teacher ratios.
The law also requires the appointment of subject-specific teachers and head teachers in schools where student enrolment is high. Apart from staffing requirements, schools are required to have proper all-weather buildings with adequate classrooms.
The Act further mandates that schools must provide basic facilities such as separate toilets, safe drinking water, kitchens for mid-day meals and playgrounds for students. In addition, schools are required to function for a minimum number of working days and instructional hours each academic year.
Facilities such as libraries, teaching aids, sports equipment and other learning materials are also compulsory under the law. Teachers are required to work for a minimum of 45 hours every week, including teaching and other academic duties.
The directions were passed while the Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed in 2017 by a non-profit organisation named Justice For All.
The petition was originally filed to highlight poor infrastructure conditions in schools run by the MCD and sought directions to ensure that students studying in these schools receive education in a safe and adequate environment.
After considering the issues raised, the High Court decided to widen the scope of the case. It ordered that the PIL will now cover all government-run schools in Delhi, including those managed by different civic and government bodies.
The Court observed that Sections 11 and 19 of the RTE Act place a legal obligation on all schools to comply with prescribed norms and standards, leaving no room for non-compliance.
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Accordingly, the Court directed all concerned authorities to collect complete data regarding the infrastructure, staffing and facilities available in government schools and submit a consolidated report to the High Court within the stipulated time.
Advocate Khagesh B. Jha and Advocate Shikha Sharma Bagga represented the petitioner organisation during the proceedings.
This order is expected to have a significant impact on the functioning of government schools in Delhi and could lead to major improvements in school infrastructure and educational standards across the capital.
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