Gujarat HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance on Difficulty Faced by Children Amid COVID-19

Recently. Gujarat HC took note of the findings of a study reported in the Indian Express which highlights that the children were facing difficulty in achieving education and access to schemes like mid-meals. 

"..this Court is of the view that the attention of the State Government should be immediately drawn to the aforesaid, and in such circumstances, we deem fit to take suo motu cognizance of the above in public interest", the Court went on to hold. 

The study sought to understand accessibility to remote learning and the challenges faced by students and parents 

The study Undertaken tried to conceive accessibility to remote learning and the problem encountered by children and parents. The bench in  its order, referenced to the key findings of the survey, that includes: 

• 85 % of the guardians submitted that they weren’t able to attain anything in place of the mid-day meals after the lockdown when the schools were closed.  

• Since March 2020, 30 % of the students hadn’t engaged in any formal learning activities. This was highest for those going to private schools (33 %), Government schools (26 %), followed by those attending private schools through the RTE mandate (22 %).  

• 54 %of the guardians were asked to pay the fees for months that was covered by the lockdown.  40 % guardian in the private schools were ignorant of the fee relief. Over 50 % of people who were asked for fees confessed that it was hard for them to manage the required amount and meet the payment deadline. 

• Many of them considered the alternate option of transfers to other schools or even dropping their children out of the school for the year. 

• Only 54 % of the families stated that they have a functioning television with cable/DTH. Less than 2 % had access to a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection and email were used by less than 12 % of the families. 

Acknowledging this circumstance as serious, the High Court ordered that a notice should be served on the Gujarat Education Department and Commissioner of the State Midday meal schemes.