AAP moves SC against UP govt move to merge schools with low enrolment
Aam Aadmi Party
has taken its fight against the merger of schools with low enrolment in Uttar Pradesh to the Supreme Court.
Party MP and UP in-charge Sanjay Singh filed a petition in the SC, challenging the UP govt's order issued on June 16, to close some primary schools and merge them with other schools within a 3 km radius.
Singh called the govt's decision "arbitrary, unconstitutional, and against children's right to education," alleging that it violates not only Article 21A of the Constitution but also the spirit of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
An AAP functionary in UP said that the party highlighted the danger of closing primary schools, forcing children aged 6 to 14 years to travel 3 to 4 km through difficult and dangerous routes, including forests, railway tracks, highways, and other risky paths, which is not only impractical but could be life-threatening for children.
In the petition, Singh said that as per the RTE Act, there has to be a primary school within a 1 km radius for every settlement with a population of 300.
He added that before issuing this order, the govt did not consult school management committees nor seek approval from the legislative assembly.
Moreover, he said, it is being implemented in the middle of the academic session, causing significant inconvenience to thousands of students and parents.
Singh also argued that the order will have the worst impact on girls, children from marginalised communities, differently-abled children, and families living in remote areas.
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