9 months ago
Supreme Court Orders Kerala to Build Schools in Underserved Areas
The Supreme Court of India has told the Kerala government to build lower and primary schools in areas that don't have any, even if they are hard to reach.
The court said the state should make a plan about this in three months.
If the government doesn't have enough money to build new schools right away, they can use private buildings as temporary schools.
The court also suggested that retired teachers can be hired until new teachers are found.
This order came after a long wait by residents of Elambra, a place in Kerala, who had to travel far for their children to go to school.
The Kerala government had earlier said they can't build schools based on individual requests, but the court said the state should act to meet the educational needs of the people.
Supreme Court orders Kerala to build lower and primary schools in areas without any, including difficult terrains, within 3 months.
Temporary schools can be set up in private buildings if the government lacks funds for new constructions.
Retired teachers can be appointed until regular teachers are found.
Residents of Elambra, a predominantly Muslim area, had to depend on schools 3-4 km away for over 35 years.
Kerala government had previously argued against individual requests for schools, citing the need for school mapping.
- Who
- Kerala government, Supreme Court, residents of Elambra
- What
- Supreme Court orders Kerala to build schools in areas without any, including difficult terrains
- Where
- Manjeri, Malappuram district, Kerala
- When
- Policy decision to be taken within 3 months; High Court order on July 29, 2020
- Why
- To ensure access to education for children in underserved areas
Key facts
- Location
- Manjeri, Malappuram district, Kerala
- Primary School Radius
- 1 km
- Upper Primary School Radius
- 3 km
- Timeframe for Policy Decision
- 3 months
- Resident Dependence
- 3-4 km for primary schools
- Resident Families
- 350 families of agricultural labourers and porters
- Waiting Period for School
- Over 35 years
Quotes
Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial authority in India.
“We are conscious that the state government may not have funds for wholesome construction of required schools... let some private buildings be identified where schools can be established as a makeshift arrangement. Such arrangement cannot continue indefinitely and that necessary budgetary allocation needs to be done for the same.”
NDTV
