Orissa High Court Orders State To Publicize Information About Basic Amenities & Drop Out Rates Of All Primary Schools

The Orissa High Court has ordered the State Government to publicize information regarding basic amenities provided to children in the schools imparting elementary education and their admission as well as drop-out rates.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Murahari Sri Raman, on Wednesday, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the instance of High Court Legal Services Committee. The matter concerns the status and quality of education imparted in schools of Odisha.

Senior Advocate Prafulla Kumar Rath, Amicus Curiae conveyed the Bench that he has prepared two draft charts in tabular format, one regarding availability of basic amenities in the schools and the other is regarding admissions and drop-outs in schools of Odisha.

He proposed that those tabular formats should be followed by the State for providing information about the basic facilities provided by the schools and to highlight the drop-out rates so that measures could be taken for minimizing the same and to admit the children who are not enrolled in schools yet.

Upon hearing the submissions made by the amicus curiae the Bench ordered:

“We propose to issue directions to the concerned opposite parties in the State of Odisha to make available certain essential information in the public domain in the present proceeding in the nature of PIL. The said formats have been prepared by learned Amicus Curiae to facilitate passing of appropriate orders, to be followed by the opposite parties in relation to status of elementary education in the State of Odisha.”

After passing such direction, the Court had adjourned the matter to Friday so as to provide time to the State Counsel to obtain instruction as to if any modification is needed in the draft tabular forms.

The matter was again heard today (Friday) by the Division Bench and the State Counsel apprised the Court that the State needs some time to make some modifications in the draft formats. The Bench readily agreed to provide such time to the State.

Before parting, the Chief Justice asked the State Counsel to ensure the completion of the exercise in the ensuing summer vacation so that all the essential information can be canvassed on websites or on any other suitable public domains.

Case Title: Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee v. Chief Secretary to Government of Odisha & Ors.

Case No: W.P.(C) No. 15395 of 2015

Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr. Prafulla Kumar Rath, Senior Advocate (Amicus Curiae)

Counsel for the State: Mr. M.K. Khuntia, Additional Government Advocate

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