Rajasthan High Court Delivers Scathing Rebuke Over Neglected School Infrastructure
The Rajasthan High Court on Monday delivered a sharp criticism of the state government's failure to address the deteriorating condition of school buildings across the state, stating that the court had been "misled for the last 6 to 7 months" regarding progress on repairs. The stern remarks came during a hearing where the education secretary and the director of secondary and primary education were present before the court.
Alarming Statistics Revealed in Government Affidavit
In a detailed affidavit submitted to the court, the state government disclosed staggering figures about the scale of infrastructure decay in Rajasthan's education system. The document revealed that approximately Rs 21,000 crore would be required for comprehensive repair and upgrade of school buildings throughout the state.
The affidavit contained several concerning statistics:
- 3,768 government school buildings are completely dilapidated and require reconstruction
- 85,000 classrooms are currently unusable due to safety concerns
- 2.19 lakh rooms need various levels of repair work
- Approximately 47,000 toilets are either damaged or require renovation
Funding Discrepancies and Historical Context
The government informed the court about the financial challenges, stating it had sought Rs 2,000 crore from the central government while the state had allocated only Rs 175 crore for school infrastructure repairs. Even more concerning was the revelation that half of this allocated amount remains unutilised.
During the proceedings, the education secretary provided historical context, explaining that before the Right to Education Act came into force in 2009, schools traditionally used fee collections from students for maintenance purposes. This system changed with the implementation of the landmark education legislation.
Court's Sharp Observations and Historical Context of Case
A division bench comprising Justice Mahendra Kumar Goyal and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain was hearing a batch of public interest litigations concerning the condition of government schools. These cases included a petition filed following the tragic Jhalawar school incident in which seven students lost their lives, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.
When government representatives admitted that some schools were conducting classes under trees due to unsafe buildings, the bench made a poignant remark: "Yahan ped bhi gavahi dene aatey hain (Even trees come forward to testify here)." The justices further observed that politicians often remain preoccupied with administrative matters like transfers and postings rather than focusing on children's safety.
Broader Systemic Issues Highlighted
The bench expanded its criticism to address broader systemic problems, noting that while meetings are frequently held in five-star hotels, education experts are rarely present in these discussions. The court provided a striking comparison, revealing that painting a single courtroom costs approximately Rs 8 lakh, thereby underscoring the inadequacy of funds allocated for ensuring school safety.
Government Response and Next Steps
Advocate General Rajendra Prasad informed the court that he would undertake several immediate actions:
- Meet with the chief secretary and finance secretary to assess requirements
- Brief the chief minister about the court's observations and concerns
- Suggest measures to encourage greater public participation in addressing the infrastructure crisis
The court has adjourned the matter to February 16 after the state government requested additional time to prepare a comprehensive response and action plan. This case continues to highlight the critical intersection of education policy, infrastructure development, and child safety in Rajasthan's public school system.
