Bombay HC Orders Formation of District-Level Committees to Monitor Govt Schools

The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has recently ordered the establishment of a district-level committee headed by district judges to monitor the troubling situation in government-run schools of Maharashtra.

The order came after the court was informed about a government-run school in Aurangabad that had been without electricity for over 18 months.

The bench was hearing a 2018 public interest litigation regarding the poor conditions of schools operated by local civic authorities in Maharashtra. A newspaper report was also shown to the court, featuring a photo of students sitting on the classroom floor surrounded by empty liquor bottles.

Advocate Rashmi S Kulkarni, appointed as amicus curiae, urged the court to take serious note of the issue and form a committee in each district to inspect such schools and make recommendations.

The court expressed concern about the dilapidated structural conditions of the schools, which could pose physical risks to the students and create an unfavorable environment for imparting education. They acknowledged the gravity of the situation and emphasized the urgent need to protect the future of these young children by forming committees.

Accordingly, the bench directed the constitution of a committee in each district across the State, comprising the principal district judge, district collector, education officer in Zilla Parishad (secretary), executive engineer of the Public Works Department (with expertise in evaluating structural stability), and the District Superintendent of Police to ensure law and order. The court stressed that if the school premises were being misused for unethical or offensive activities, appropriate action should be taken against wrongdoers by the Police Authorities.

The newly-formed committees were directed to conduct inspections and, if necessary, record the visits on video. The expenses of the inspections were to be borne by the district administration.

The High Court called for a report on the inspections, along with suggestions and recommendations, to be submitted by October 1, 2023.