HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Friday came down heavily on the state government for failing to act on repeated pleas to relocate a 65-year-old government school from crumbling quarters in Tarnaka, warning it would summon the chief secretary if 'positive orders' were not passed.
Court's Stern Observations
A vacation bench of Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao made the stern observations while hearing a petition filed by parents of students at the Government Girls Primary School (Seethafalmandi II Vijaya Dairy School). With the new academic year around the corner, the judge questioned government counsels on why two vacant quarters could not be temporarily allotted, stressing that the state was expected to provide safer alternatives and better infrastructure for children and teachers.
"Do not delay on this. By next date come with positive directions to the education department. Be cautious of that," the judge warned, adjourning the matter.
Petitioners' Arguments
Petitioners' counsel Chikkudu Prabhakar argued that parents had urged authorities to utilise part of a vacant 42-acre parcel earlier leased to the Telangana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation, to build a modern upgraded school under urban education policies. The school, serving slum communities since 1961, now operates out of two crumbling 'D-type' staff quarters.
"Lack of basic amenities has forced children to study and eat their mid-day meals in an open ground. The children are suffering without basic facilities in structures that are falling apart," Prabhakar submitted.
"It is a blatant violation of their fundamental Right to Education. Children are forced to study in the open because authorities refuse to unlock empty rooms just yards away," he said.
He further pointed out that while the old quarters were collapsing, more than 25 premium 'A-type' quarters on the campus remained structurally sound and vacant after the federation shifted to Raviryal. Despite repeated representations to hand over at least two of these quarters, officials had failed to respond.
Background
The school, established in 1961, serves children from slum communities in the Tarnaka area. Over the years, the infrastructure has deteriorated significantly, with the school operating out of two 'D-type' staff quarters that are in a state of disrepair. Parents have been demanding relocation to a safer and more spacious facility, but the state government has not taken any concrete action.
The court's warning comes as a significant development, putting pressure on the government to address the issue promptly. The next hearing is expected to see the government's response to the court's directives.
