NHRC issues notice to Delhi Government over children of Chilla Khadar not having a school in the vicinity and forced to ride a boat to attend it far away in violation of Right to Education (14.02.2020)

New Delhi, 14th February, 2020

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that Chilla Khadar village in Delhi does not have a school due to which the children have to cross the Yamuna river by boat everyday putting their lives to immense danger to attend a school. It is not easy especially for girl students, as they have to walk an hour to reach the school after riding a boat. Reportedly, if the boat is not available on a particular day, the students have to walk about 2 kms on a non-motorable road.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The report must include details of the government schools functional in the area mentioned in the news reports.

It has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights. It is indeed surprising that in the National Capital, everyday young students are coming across such a nightmare just to attend school for education, which is their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India. The statistics projected by the government of NCT of Delhi indicate that the standard of education and infrastructure has been remarkably improved but such news reports do tell a different story.

According to the media report, to implement and respect the Right to Education Act in true sense, the primary school children should not be studying in schools more than 1 kilometre away while the distance is 3 km for students of upper primary level i.e. 6th to 8th standard. Reportedly, an officer of the Education Department of Delhi Government has said that they are not sure, if there is a school within the 3 km radius of the area. It is also mentioned in a news report that sometimes, the boat topples then it takes more time for the students to reach their school.

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