Recently, The Calcutta HC directed the government to take steps to remit the students who dropped out of the schools during Covid Pandemic on account of lack of facility for online classes.
The bench of Acting Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya was dealing with the PIL filed by the petitioner who is a practising Advocate of Calcutta High Court which highlights a very important issue regarding the dropout of students from various schools in particular government schools.
In this case, it is the case of the petitioner that during the Covid Pandemic on account of the classes being disrupted and lack of facility for online classes etc. there were large number of students who dropped out of government schools. Therefore, the petitioner seeks for appropriate direction to the respondents to remit the student.
The bench stated that “the petitioner being an Advocate practicing before this Court and if the petitioner has any suggestions in this regard, the same can very well be placed before the Commissioner of School Education. Apart, the Commissioner of School Education shall also call for reports from various districts as regards the students strength in the respective schools pre-Covid and post-Covid and necessary steps can be taken to sensitise the parents of those children regarding the need for education and steps have to be taken to provide clean atmosphere, good drinking water, mid-day meal etc. to bring back the dropout students to school.”
Further, the High Court opined that the suggestions, if any, as may be suggested by the petitioner shall also be taken note of by the Commissioner of School Education. In this regard wide publication can be given in the media and television channels impressing upon the need for good education for the children regardless of whatever strata the parents come from.
In view of the above, the bench disposed of the petition.
Case Title: Sayan Banerjee v. The State of West Bengal and Ors.
Bench: Acting Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya
Case No.: WPA(P)/21/2022
