The Rajasthan High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the poor condition of buildings and classrooms in government schools throughout the state. Despite several accidents in various districts, repair work has only commenced in four schools since July, raising concerns about the authorities’ sluggish response. The court’s displeasure was evident during a hearing on a suo motu petition initiated after a recent school incident in Jhalawar.
Noting the slow pace of action, the court highlighted that repair work was still at the tendering stage in many places, even in the wake of incidents in districts like Bharatpur and Bundi. The allocated budget for repairs is set to expire in March, yet little progress has been made to ensure completion of the necessary work. The judges questioned the government’s priorities and expressed worry about the safety of students in structurally compromised school buildings.
During the proceedings, the court raised concerns about the government’s lack of urgency in addressing the safety issues in schools. The bench hinted at the possibility of appointing a chartered engineer to inspect government school buildings statewide if the situation does not improve. A proposal discussed suggested that only schools certified safe by the engineer after July 1 would be allowed to operate, while repairs would continue in unsafe buildings.
The state government, citing financial constraints, informed the court that budget limitations were hindering the repair progress. However, the court emphasized that financial challenges should not compromise student safety. It made it clear that regardless of financial difficulties, the court’s directives must be followed. The bench also reminded the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed progress report on the court’s earlier orders to address the issue promptly.
