HC seeks govt response on Navodaya safety plea
Jodhpur, Aug. 7 -- The Rajasthan high court has issued notices to the Centre and the state government as well as the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, seeking their response in a public interest litigation concerning student safety and the lack of essential facilities in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across the country.
Appearing for one of the petitioners Hari Mohan Charan on Tuesday, counsel Vinit R Dave informed a division bench of justices Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Sandeep Taneja that the educational institutions are plagued with administrative shortcomings and a blatant disregard for children's rights.
The petitioners, whose children are or were students at JNV Jojawar, Pali, have highlighted a critical shortage of permanent staff, which they claim is jeopardising student safety and mental well-being.
"The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, despite being residential schools, are suffering from a severe lack of permanent staff in crucial roles such as hostel wardens, superintendents, and security guards," said Dave in his submission.
He further emphasised the gravity of the situation by stating, "Over 6,800 teaching and non-teaching positions were vacant as of December 2024, amounting to nearly 25% of the total sanctioned posts."
Dave brought to the court's attention the disturbing issue of student suicides, quoting data that revealed 49 students had taken their lives between 2013 and 2017, with a disproportionately high number from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. He also pointed out that another 25 students died by suicide between 2019 and 2023, with a similar pattern observed. According to the counsel, this trend is a direct result of the schools' failure to provide adequate support systems and a safe environment.
The petition also alleges that the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has failed to comply with mandatory guidelines set by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and the ministry of Education.
These guidelines mandate the appointment of full-time wardens, trained counsellors, and robust child protection protocols.
Furthermore, the petition highlights poor infrastructure, including issues with contaminated drinking water and unhygienic toilets, which pose a significant risk to the students' health.
Dave asserted that despite repeated communications with authorities and RTI requests, the petitioners received no satisfactory response.
A parliamentary standing committee also recommended filling vacancies in December 2024, but no action was taken....
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