NNWN/ Mumbai, 2017-12-27

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Maharashtra government after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that its Education Department has decided to close down Zila Parishad schools with less than 10 students and shift them to other nearby schools. The NHRC has given four weeks to state government for its report.

The NHRC observed that the reported decision of the Education Department would adversely affected the students, particularly, those coming from the rural background who cannot afford education in private schools. The Commission is of the opinion that before implementing it, a thorough study on should have been conducted so that the right to basic education of the children is not violated.

The state government’s controversial decision is expected to hit 1,300 schools. Maharashtra Education Minister is of the view that the low number of students  in these Zila Parishad schools, means that the quality of education is poor there. The decision may increase the distance of the School from the house of a student, which should be less than 1 KM till Class V and less than 3 KM for class VI to VIII, as per the provisions of the Right to Education Act.