HRDD report shows deficiencies in almost all govt schools, HC notes

HIGH COURT SEEKS DETAILS OF SCHOOL MATERIALS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS BY HRDD 

GANGTOK, 06 March: The High Court of Sikkim has taken a stern view of the shortcomings in the compliance report filed by the Human Resource Development Department on the status of government school buildings and school materials provided by it including books, uniforms etc. The Court noted, as also accepted by the department, that there are deficiencies existing in almost all the government schools throughout the state. Schools either didn’t have proper bathrooms or toilets or missed some other such facilities required for the imparting of proper and wholesome learning to the students.
While the HRDD has prayed for dropping of the proceedings, the division bench comprising of Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi has further directed that details of the quality of text books, exercise books and uniforms supplied to the children be provided and samples also submitted; besides, the court has also sought to details of the syllabi being followed.
It was also noted that since the academic year had already begun, a specific statement be put up by the department in respect to the provisions made by the state government for text books, note books, uniforms etc.
This is a matter which the Sikkim High Court has taken up suo moto, that is, on its own initiative, in view of the deplorable conditions of the government schools in the State. Apart from inadequate school infrastructure, questions have also been raised on the quality and quantity of text books, uniforms and other school-related materials being provided to the students and for which tenders are normally floated for awarding of contracts.
This matter came up for hearing on 05 March during which the compliance report of the HRDD was examined by the court. The report was in response to the directions issued by the High Court in September 2010 which required the HRDD to file a status report on the conditions of the schools along with what the department was doing/ had done to improve these conditions.
The report, which was filed by Chief Engineer, HRDD, indicated compliance on the directions in respect to the completion of Sanganath Secondary School wherein it has been stated that the building is complete in all respects and handed over to the Head Master. Submitting this compliance report, the HRDD had sought the dropping of proceedings initiated by the High Court.
However, the court was of the view that the directions of the court had not been complied with properly.  Additional AG, JB Pradhan, submitted that in the aftermath of the earthquake of 18 September, 2011 the state government had initiated various steps for the restoration of various schools and their improvement. He also submitted that time be provided to present a more detailed report in respect of the present status of the government schools. The court has granted 4 weeks time for filing of the detailed report.