news details |
|
|
| Petition on un-electrified schools: SHRC issues notice to DSEK | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 12: The J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued a notice to Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on the issue of un-electrified government schools in Kashmir division.
In addition to lack of electric supply in the schools, the petition by Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement (RTIM) through its chairman Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat has raised several other issues as well.
The petition has highlighted the issue of un-electrified schools and students writing board exams under candle light, besides non-availability of any heating arrangements at the exam centers especially in government schools.
The petitioner had earlier sought information under J&K RTI Act 2009 from the DSEK. The information sought included details about government schools without electric supply, boundary walls and washroom facility. The RTIM in its petition before SHRC has alleged that there are hundreds of schools which lack facilities like electricity, washrooms and drinking water. Details have been submitted before SHRC which have been provided by School Education department through various Chief Education Officers (CEOs) under RTI Act.
"The information provided by several CEOs under RTI Act to us is self explanatory as it reveals that more than 80% government schools in Budgam, Baramulla, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Anantnag are un-electrified. We have now sought intervention of SHRC as un-electrified schools in 21st century is an open violation of basic human rights of the students who hail from disadvantaged communities. How can students in un-electrified learn computers? The kids have no access to fans in summer months which is injustice," said Dr Mushtaq Khan, general secretary of the RTIM.
Pertinently the reply provided by Chief Education Officer (CEO) Budgam reveals 1036 government schools out of total 1278 schools have no electricity connection.
Similarly 86 % schools in Ganderbal are un-electrified. In Anantnag 81 % schools have no electric connection and 70 % schools are un-electrified.
The petition further reads: "That it is most unfortunate to bring it to the kind notice of this commission that J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) authorities are conducting exams both in summer/winter seasons.
In summer season the students/candidates appearing for such exams are made to undertake studies/ exams in scorching heat without any facility of fans in the classrooms. In winters the classrooms are cold and lack proper lighting facility as days are shorter and darker especially during cloudy days. Irony is that Board authorities are conducting exams in a manner which even violates the basic human rights of the students." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
