The Karnataka High Court has taken serious note of the condition of government-run schools under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). In a recent order, the Court has instructed the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) to form a special team to conduct a detailed inspection of 49 BBMP-managed schools in Bengaluru.
A division bench led by Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind emphasized the importance of ensuring a healthy and supportive environment for students. The bench observed:
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“Teams shall examine and take assessment in respect of toilets, adequacy and cleanliness thereof, drinking water facilities, general cleanliness in the premises of the school and other basic amenities needed for a healthy climate in the school for the students.”
The Court has made it clear that this inspection must be completed within one month. A comprehensive record for each of the 49 schools must be prepared and submitted before the Court. The direction was passed in response to a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated by the Court, based on media reports that highlighted rising dropout rates and the poor condition of infrastructure in government schools.
To carry out the inspection, the Court has instructed the Secretary of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority to immediately form a team consisting of three members. The team will include one judicial officer, selected by the Secretary, and two law students from any law college in Bengaluru who will act as legal volunteers.
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“The teams with such a constitution may be constituted to visit the 49 schools without notice to BBMP. The Secretary shall solicit the details of the schools which are to be visited by the team and BBMP is to extend all cooperation.”
This direction came after Senior Advocate K N Phanindra, who is serving as Amicus Curiae in the case, presented the BBMP’s status report on the condition of the schools. He expressed concern that the report may not reflect the actual situation on the ground.
He stated:
“BBMP in its report has said we contacted the legal services authority but they refused to come for the survey and claim that almost everything in the schools is in order which I think…”
The Court appeared unconvinced by BBMP’s explanation and felt that a neutral and independent verification was necessary. The judges stressed that the true state of infrastructure and essential facilities for students must be transparently assessed and documented.
The matter has now been scheduled for the next hearing on June 12.
The case is titled REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) v. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, bearing case number WP 15768/2013.
