SC Refuses to Entertain Plea Seeking Mandatory CPR Training in School Curriculum

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction for inclusion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in the school curriculum, asserting that it fell under the purview of educational policy.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stated that while there are various valuable things for children to learn, the court cannot instruct the government to include all of them in the curriculum.

The bench emphasized that matters such as environmental awareness, brotherhood, and CPR training are decisions for the government to make.

“They (children) should learn about environment. Children should learn about brotherhood. Children should learn about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We cannot tell the government to include everything which is desirable…these are matters for the government to decide,” the bench pointed out.

The petitioner’s counsel, representing a resident of Ranchi, highlighted the significance of CPR training, especially in the context of sudden cardiac arrests post-COVID-19.

The bench, however, asserted that the inclusion of such topics in the curriculum is not within the court’s purview.

The bench questioned why only CPR training was being singled out as a burning issue, stating that there are numerous other important issues. It drew a parallel by suggesting that if the court should issue a writ to include an absolute matter of universal acceptance, such as preventing children from smoking, in the curriculum.

Emphasizing that determining a holistic curriculum is the government’s prerogative, the bench deemed the matter purely a subject of educational policy. The court acknowledged that the issue raised in the plea falls under the policy domain, and it suggested that the petitioner approach the appropriate authorities with their suggestions.

The bench concluded by stating that beyond this, the court is not inclined to issue the mandamus sought in the petition, and subsequently, the petition is disposed of.