Covid-19 Pandemic: Calcutta HC Asks WB Govt To Re-Enroll Students To Schools

The Calcutta High Court recently ordered the West Bengal government to educate parents about the importance of a good education for their children and to take positive steps to re-enroll students who dropped out after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition highlighting rising dropout rates in government schools.

According to the PIL filed by Advocate Sayan Banerjee, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of students dropped out of government schools due to class disruptions and a lack of facilities for online classes. As a result, the petitioner requested that the State issue appropriate instructions to return students to school.

The Bench decided that the petitioner could make suggestions to the Commissioner of School Education, if any.

“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 bench stated.

The bench also called for widespread publication of messaging emphasizing the importance of good education for children, regardless of their parents’ socio-economic status.

“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 bench remarked.