Ranchi: Safety and education of students of government schools cannot be compromised, the Jharkhand High Court said and directed officials to assess the condition of educational institutes and initiate steps for their renovation and modernisation.
The court was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation registered on August 10 last year after it had taken cognisance of new reports highlighting the poor condition of the historic Zila School in the heart of Ranchi.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad directed the state government to ensure that officials of the department concerned inspect government schools to assess the need for repairs, renovation and modernisation, and take immediate steps in that regard.
During the hearing, the bench noted that several schools in the state were functioning with only a single teacher, while students were being made to attend classes in unsafe buildings.
There can be no compromise with the safety and education of children studying in government schools, it said.
The court observed that it was the moral responsibility of the government and officials concerned to ensure that children are provided a safe and secure environment conducive to education.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 5. PTI
