Reported by The Times of India
Mumbai: Bombay High Court has directed BMC to give details of 14 English primary schools running classes one to four in Malwani, Malad (W) against which it has initiated action for closure.
Chief Justice M C Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna on Wednesday said they would examine “under what circumstances the concerned/competent authorities have permitted the said schools to perpetuate such a situation.” “At the same time, we are also conscious of the future of the students who are receiving education in such schools/institutions,” they added.
The PIL by Nazir Khan, a private tutor, challenged action taken by BMC’s education department to close the 14 schools due to non-recognition under the Right to Education Act, without providing an alternate remedy or ensuring effective continuity of education to the students, in violation of Article 21A (Right to Education).
His petition said no proper hearing was given before an FIR was registered on June 18. Khan urged the high court to quash and set aside BMC’s closure notices, direct Malwani police station not to take any coercive action against the schools and direct that all schools be permitted to continue so that students’ academic year is not wasted.
He also sought, pending hearing, a stay on the notices and on further administrative or criminal proceedings.
