A Class XII student moved the Supreme Court on Friday seeking a directive to the states and Union Territories to resume physical classes, contending that the mode of virtual teaching was creating severe psychological and medical issues for children.
The petition by Amar Prem Prakash from Delhi said several children had been pushed into “depression, social reclusiveness” because of the continued closure of schools.
It said that children from the economically backward sections were now forced to carry out odd jobs or manual labour to contribute to their family income.
According to the petition, after remaining closed from April 2020 to February 2021 and reopening for a brief period, schools across the country had stayed closed since the end of March or early April this year.
Some states have now decided to resume physical classes, it said. “However, a large number of states and Union Territories, including central schools, are yet to take a decision,” the petition, filed through advocate Ravi Prakash Mehrotra, said.
“The student community at large is in a dilemma and a state of confusion, apart from having severe psychological and medical issues with sustained and protracted online school teaching, as also a severe sense of deprivation and discrimination as most public places have been reopened and gatherings permitted in different states in the country since July.
“Thus considered, and in this perspective and context, the petitioner before your Lordships, with profound respect, by way of the instant writ petition, is seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (life and personal liberty), besides Article 21A which mandates free and compulsory education for all children in the country.”
The plea has cited a Unesco declaration that says: “Schooling provides essential learning, and when schools close, children and youth are deprived of opportunities for growth and development. The disadvantages are disproportionate for underprivileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities beyond school.”
