A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition highlighting the increasing drop out rates of students, particularly from government schools.
The PIL filed by Advocate Sayan Banerjee claimed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, on account of classes being disrupted and lack of facilities for online classes, a large number of students dropped out from government schools. Therefore, the petitioner sought appropriate directions to the State to bring students back to school.
The Bench opined that the petitioner could submit his suggestions, if any, to the Commissioner of School Education.
“That apart, the Commissioner of School Education shall also call for reports from various districts as regards the students strength in the respective schools both prior and post Covid-19 pandemic and necessary steps can be taken to sensitise the parents of those children regarding the need for education. Also, steps have to be taken to provide clean atmosphere, good drinking water, mid-day meal etc. to bring back the drop out students to school,” the order stated.
The Court also called for wide publication through media and television channels of messaging that impresses upon the need for good education for children regardless of whatever strata their parents come from.
“We hope and trust that the observations made by us in this order will be taken in the right spirit and the government will take pro-active steps to the grievance expressed,” the Court observed while disposing of the PIL.
Advocates Sabyasachi Chatterjee, Akashdeep Mukherjee and Ankur Sharma appeared for the petitioner.
Advocate Nilotpal Chatterjee represented the State.
