Merge Existing Govt. Schools Instead Of Building New Ones Without Proper Infrastructure: Uttarakhand HC Advises State [Read Order]

The Uttarakhand High Court has recommended that the State Government may frame a scheme to merge existing Government schools, instead of establishing new schools without adequate infrastructure.

Justice Rajiv Sharma observed, "The State is recommended to provide basic infrastructure in the existing schools instead of promoting/ mushrooming of new schools without adequate infrastructure/wherewithal. The State Govt. may frame a Scheme/ Policy to merge the schools, where the strength of students is very low, in the adjoining schools. The State should adopt cluster system to improve standard of education. It is open for the State to rationalize the appointment of teachers taking into consideration ‘Student Teacher’ ratio in the schools. It is the legal obligation of the State to provide quality education to the students pursuing studies in the government institutions."

During the hearing, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Counter Affidavit filed by the State Secretary (School Education). On a perusal of the Affidavit, it came to the notice of the Court that an amount of Rs.62.23 lakhs had been spent on a school with only 56 students. The Court further noted that the decisions to open new schools were being taken on political considerations, instead of administrative ones.

Opining that this was not the correct approach, the Court observed, "It is the responsibility of the State Government to provide at least the basic infrastructure for educational institutions run by it... The State Government should take its decision on merits and not merely on the recommendations of the political class while opening of new schools, though their views must be given due weightage."

The Court was also informed that only 24 students were studying in Class 6th to 10th at a  Government High School in Kimana, which has only four rooms. Taking a stern view of the situation, Justice Sharma directed the State to file a supplementary affidavit in the matter explaining as to why "the funds for Government High School, Kimana are not made available and the students are forced to study in four rooms."