Reiterates SC's directives to provide drinking water and toilets to school children
Kohima, January 24 (MExN): In October 2012, the Supreme Court directed all schools across the country to provide basic infrastructure facilities like drinking water and toilets to school children.
The Supreme Court had disposed of a writ petition with directives to all states to give effect to the various directions already given by the Court like providing toilet facilities for boys and girls, drink
ing water facilities, sufficient classrooms, appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff etc., if not already provided, within six months from October 3, 2012 (i.e. April 2013).
The Court made it clear that the directions were applicable to all schools, whether State owned or private-owned, aided or unaided, minority or non-minority.
The State of Nagaland is one among the States that had filed an affidavit indicating that it had either constructed toilets for boys and girls or they would complete it before the stipulated date, i.e., before March 31, 2012.
While stating this, a concerned parent has raised the issue of proper toilets and the provision of safe drinking water in education institutes in Nagaland. The parent stated that both, to this effect do not exist. However, the Supreme Court had directed that if the State Planning Department does not take cognizance of the Court’s judgment by releasing “state matching share” to the department concerned for immediate implementation of the Court’s directives, the State Government will be held responsible and answerable to the Supreme Court as and when the Court intervenes.
Meanwhile, parents in Nagaland continue to hope that their children will “enjoy proper toilet and safe drinking water facilities with new academic year 2014.”
