A survey was conducted of schools in Mumbai city, suburbs and neighboring districts of Maharashtra. According to the report presented after the survey, 235 schools were surveyed, out of which the condition of toilets in 207 schools was found to be very poor.
Image Credit source: PTI
Bombay High Court Maharashtra I made a strong comment on Monday about the condition of toilets in schools. The Bombay High Court said that the condition of toilets in schools in Maharashtra is very bad. The Bombay High Court asked the state government whether it was helpless or was waiting for some auspicious time to formulate a policy on the issue. A division bench of Justice Prasanna Varale and Justice Sharmila Deshmukh said that they are deeply saddened by the poor condition of toilets in schools in the state.
Let us tell you, on Monday, the Bombay High Court heard the petition of two law students Nikita Gore and Vaishnavi Gholve, expressing concern over the central and state governments not implementing effective management of menstrual hygiene. Nikita Gore and Vaishnavi Gholwe, both the petitioners, said that women and especially adolescent girls are facing problems due to this. The issue of filth in toilets in government-aided schools was also raised in the petition.
Survey of 235 schools was done
As per a court order in July this year, the Maharashtra District Legal Services Authority (MDLSA) conducted a survey of schools in Mumbai city, suburbs and neighboring districts. The report was submitted in the court on Monday. According to the report, out of 235 schools surveyed, the condition of toilets in 207 schools was found to be very poor.
Very bad condition of toilets in schools
After perusing the report, the Bombay High Court said that the condition of toilets in schools is very poor. Justice Prasanna Varale asked that this report is about urban areas like Mumbai. If this is the situation in urban areas then imagine what is the situation in rural areas? What are the education officers of the state government doing? Isn’t it the duty of your officers to check on a regular basis?
Instructions to the state government to look into the report
The Bombay High Court asked why the state government is not formulating any policy on this issue. The bench said that whether the state government does not have the power to make policy? Are you waiting for some auspicious time to do it? The bench said that it is refraining from using strong words. The bench asked whether education officers were prevented from conducting periodic checks in schools. The High Court directed the petitioners and the state government to look into the report. Also, the hearing of the case was fixed after four weeks.
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