SC orders to inspect govt-aided schools

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Taking exception to the ''inhuman conditions'' prevailing in Government-aided schools in the capital, the Supreme Court has directed the Director, Education, to inspect all such institutions in the city and submit its report within six weeks.

A Bench, comprising Mr Justices A K Mathur and Dalveer Bhandari, issued the directions after going through the affidavit filed by the Director, Education, in which he has admitted the allegations made in a PIL filed by the Environmental and Consumer Production Foundation, a non-government organisation.

The petitioner, an NGO, has alleged that the Government-aided schools are in a mess, despite 95 per cent grant-in aid from the Government.

The petitioner has alleged that there are a few schools here which barely had rooms, broken asbestos roof, no fans, no light fixture, no drinking water and libraries having only 30 books.

The classroom did not have windows, only frames with bar, leaking roofs and children sitting on the floors, the petitioner alleged.

He also alleged that in some cases Delhi Jal Board has disconnected water-supply and students were using hand-pumps and in place of closed toilets, open urinals have been put up in one corner of the school.

The schools were functioning under ''inhuman and sub-standard'' conditions and the possibility of grants given by the Government, being pocketted by the school management in collusion with the officers of Education Department, cannot be ruled out.

The Court directed that the Director either himself or through his officers conduct the inspection of all the schools.

UNI