Govt decision to merge 800 primary schools challenged

Chandigarh : The Punjab government’s move to slam shut the chapter of 800 primary schools with student strength of less than 20 today came under the Punjab and Haryana High Court scanner, with an advocate filing a petition in public interest against the decision. In his petition placed before the Bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Amit Rawal, Amit Shukla asserted the government was required to initiate steps to increase the students’ strength in the schools. The Bench issued notice of motion to the state and other respondents before fixing November 2 as the next date of hearing in the case. Seeking directions for quashing the impugned circular, dated October 18, Shukla said it was issued by the Punjab Director, Elementary Education, to all district education officers to shut down 800 primary schools and to merge the schools. Claiming that it was against the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, Shukla contended it was also against the fundamental rights and against Article 21-A of the Constitution.