Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain PIL Seeking To Allow Parental Observation Of Students In Schools

Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice UU Lalit and Justice Ravindra Bhat heard a petition concerning parental observation in schools to ensure safety on Monday. The Public Interest Litigation was filed by Advocate M. Purushothaman who sought guidelines for parents to observe students in all schools across the country on a turn-by-turn basis.

At the outset, while referring to school safety as a burning issue, the petitioner stated that there were three universal suggestions which were made to deal with school safety issues. He stated that the solutions included CCTV installation in schools, parental observation or to deploy police forces. He added–

"My suggestion is that if parents are made to volunteer in schools on turn basis, and if there is a parent room in the school and a parent is required six times in a year to volunteer, it would solve the issue. No money is required but parents will have to be given paid holidays by the State. Therefore a guideline or something has to be modulated. I am giving a suggestion and a solution which has to be considered by the State because once parents are there in school on turn basis, that would be a major deterrent from any safety breaches."

The petitioner highlighted that he had also drafted a parental monitoring act for this purpose. However, the bench was not convinced and CJI Lalit remarked–

"What you are saying is very laudable but how do we do this? It would be very difficult for us to say that every parent must be available for observation at school. You are now asking for various other ways. You want CCTV. As an idea it is very novel and good but how do we implement it? You make a representation to appropriate authorities. Withdraw this."

Justice Bhat added here–

"Why don't you go to the National Commission for Child Rights? Let this be considered there. All these commissions are set up you go there, let them examine this...How many schools are there in the country? How many students are being taught? You have to be made accountable. You cannot just approach like this. Do you take accountability? Do you take responsibility? You do not come with any statistics."

Accordingly, the petitioner was granted liberty to withdraw the petition with further liberty to take appropriate steps and make a representation to the concerned authorities. The petition was dismissed as withdrawn. 

CASE TITLE: M Purushothaman v UOI & Ors W.P.(C) No. 671/2022

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