Gurgaon: Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) on Thursday took cognisance of a TOI report earlier this week on govt primary schools operating from makeshift premises in Nuh, such as a cowshed and a chaupal building, and directed the Haryana chief secretary, school education department, Nuh deputy commissioner and district education officer to submit detailed reports on condition of schools, lack of infrastructure and shortage of teachers in the district.In its May 7 order, HHRC observed that this was a basic violation of children’s fundamental and human rights, including the right to education, dignity and health.On May 6, TOI published the ground report showing how govt schools listed as fully functional on paper were operating across Nuh.HHRC said the chief secretary must submit a comprehensive report on policy decisions, fund allocation, interdepartmental coordination and a clear time-bound framework to ensure proper school infrastructure and compliance with statutory norms.The principal secretary (school education) has been asked to file a departmental report on the infrastructure status of Nuh schools, timelines for constructing permanent and accessible buildings, and an inquiry into allotment of school land located 3.5km from habitation. The report must also cover corrective measures, including safe transport or shifting the school within one km in line with RTE norms, teacher availability and rational deployment, appointments from local or nearby areas, and steps to improve student enrolment and retention.The Nuh deputy commissioner and district education officer have been directed to submit a factual ground report based on physical inspections. This report must cover the actual functioning of schools, the availability and suitability of land, including panchayat land for school construction, measures taken to ensure safe and hygienic learning environments, and immediate remedial steps taken in coordination with local authorities.“Forcing children to study in environments exposed to animal waste, extreme weather and unsafe structures amounts to institutional neglect and denial of equal opportunities, particularly affecting children belonging to marginalised and rural communities. “Allotting school land far from the habitation defeats the very purpose of accessibility,” HHRC observed.The commission also said conditions at these schools were inconsistent with India’s obligations under UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.“The facts, as reported, prima facie disclose a clear violation of provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. “This Act places a statutory obligation upon the state and local authorities to ensure the availability of proper school infrastructure, safe buildings, teaching staff and a child-friendly learning environment,” HHRC stated, adding that the Act lays down minimum standards for classrooms, sanitation, drinking water and boundary walls.Running schools from cattle sheds, open fields or dilapidated structures directly violates these mandatory norms and the Act also states that a primary school must be located within 1km of habitation, the panel observed.The commission further noted a severe shortage of teaching staff. It stated that appointments made through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam had resulted in contractual teachers being posted from distant districts such as Bahadurgarh, Rewari and Mahendergarh. “Because of long travel distances and a lack of basic facilities, several teachers reportedly resigned, worsening the already strained educational environment,” it said.“The report further indicates that although panchayat land has been identified for construction of a school building, the same is located approximately 3.5km away in Rawli village. Such distance is impractical for young children, particularly those in primary classes, who cannot be expected to travel that far daily, thereby rendering the identified land ineffective for the intended purpose,” the commission added.
