The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken serious note of the alarming conditions in government primary schools in Nuh district — one allegedly operating from a cattle shed –and initiated suo motu proceedings.
Acting on news reports published on May 6, the commission sought detailed reports from the authorities. The HHRC observed that the conditions highlighted in the reports were extremely grave and prima facie amounted to serious violations of children’s rights to education, health, and dignified living.
According to the facts placed before the Commission comprising Chairperson Justice LalitBatra and Members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, several Government Primary Schools in the FerozepurJhirka area of District Nuh are functioning without proper buildings. Government Primary School, village Kubda Bas, is reportedly operating from a cattle shed where approximately 29 boys and 33 girls from Balvatika to Class III are studying. After school hours, cows and buffaloes are tied in the same premises and cattle fodder is also stored there. Despite cleaning of the premises, foul smell persists, adversely affecting the health and learning environment of the children. It has further been reported that the school is functioning only due to temporary permission granted by a private landowner, reflecting a complete absence of permanent government infrastructure. The school is reportedly one among at least nineteen (19) schools in this Haryana district adjoining Gurugram that are functioning without buildings.
Similarly, Government Primary School, village Kalu Bas, is functioning in an open field where about 45 boys and 50 girls are being taught in front of blackboards tied to trees. During the monsoon season, the entire field becomes muddy, while in winters the children are forced to study in hostile extreme condition of cold making learning highly unsafe. The Commission observed that such conditions amount to a serious compromise with the safety and dignity of children. The Full Commission headed by Justice LalitBatra and comprising Members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia also expressed serious concern regarding acute shortage of teachers. Assistant Registrar of the Commission, PuneetArora, stated that all the concerned authorities have been directed to submit detailed reports on the points mentioned in the order at least one week prior to the next date of hearing on July 22 before the Haryana Human Rights Commission.
