The Bombay High Court has reprimanded the state government for neglecting Urdu schools. The court has said that since primary education of children of 5 to 14 years has been made a fundamental right, it is the duty of the state and its administration to provide all necessary basic facilities for education in schools.
A division bench of Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Maran said that if the portal for the recruitment of teachers of Urdu medium schools is not maintained by the government, then the government should immediately take steps in this direction.
The bench said that the education officer has the responsibility of monitoring the schools. Therefore, he should see what facilities are available in Urdu medium schools and which are not.
‘Education officers should take necessary steps’
The bench said that if the education officer finds lack of facilities in the school, then the education officer should take necessary steps to remove the deficiency, as primary education has come under the ambit of fundamental right.
Education officers should see that adequate appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff should be made in Urdu schools.
This appointment should be according to the roster decided by the government. If necessary teachers are not appointed in the schools, then the Education Officer should issue necessary instructions to the Municipal Corporation.
Petition claims no bench for children to sit
The petition claimed that a school located in Pune’s Jadhavwadi area does not even have benches for the children to sit on.
In Jadhavwadi school, 300 children are seated in a class.
‘The essential posts of every school will be filled’
Advocate Hanif Shaikh informed the bench about the government’s neglect regarding the Urdu school. On this, the government lawyer said that the necessary staff posts of every school would be filled. By June 1, 2023, the Jadhwadi School will be shifted to the new building.
