Girls From Villages Along Patiala-Rajpura Highway Dropping Out Due To Far-Away Schools: High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of village girl students dropping out of schools due to non-availability of schools and infrastructure along Punjab's Patiala-Rajpura Highway.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikas Suri said, "Learned State counsel is directed to submit report with regard to the plight of the students of High Schools (10th) and Higher Secondary Schools (11th and 12th), especially girls who are compelled to drop out from their schools due to non-availability of infrastructure and even non-availability of schools along Patiala-Rajpura Highway, highlighted in news item published in the newspaper “The Tribune” on 23.07.2024."

The Court also directed the Punjab State counsel, "to file their policy on establishment of Higher Secondary Schools and as to why there is no Higher Secondary School for girls between Patiala and Rajpura."

According to the newspaper report, due to unsafe travel conditions and lack of affordable transport  many girls from over 10 villages located along the Patiala-Rajpura highway have given up on the education. 

"The poor condition of the roads and the high cost of private transportation pose significant challenges to students. A majority of them, be it boys or girls, have to walk 3 km on the broken road before they reach the highway and get transport to their schools. Most residents in these villages are small-scale farmers and farm labourers who rely on government schools for the education of their children," stated the report.

In the light of the above, the Court issued notice to Punjab's Secretary, Department of Higher Education.

The matter is listed for August 23, for further consideration.

Title: Court on its own motion v. State of Punjab through its Chief Secretary

Click here to read/download the order