Srinagar, Dec 21: After facing serious criticism from different quarters, the state government’s decision of winter schooling has been challenged before the High Court through a Public Interest Litigation, which has sought adequate heating arrangements for the students or cancellation of the order for the safety of the children.
 The Public Interest Litigation Forum convener, Advocate G M Wani filed a PIL before the Court seeking empowerment of Chief Education Officers to immediately cancel all the classes, where the schools are without space, buildings or windows.
 Litigant has termed the government’s decision “surprising” saying that despite subzero chill it ordered continuation of schooling during winters.
 Litigant said the experiment of winter schooling had drawn flak from diverse quarters because it was fraught with multiple dangers and heinous hazards. “Two hundred and seventy thousand minors will be denuded to the danger of several serious diseases and immense infections which the extreme cold can inflict,” the litigant said.
 Litigant said the first day in the classes proved a nightmare for the students. “Bereft of matting, seating arrangements, open windows, broken windowpanes, gusts of numbing cold wind, absence of any gadgets or apparatus for heating, the bare floors are sufficient to make them shiver and blunt their senses making all instruction fall flat,” PIL reads. It reads that the ailments of respiratory system and pneumonia could be the consequence of the exposure to severe cold.
 The litigant said the harsh weather conditions were not conducive for education. “Students need to feel comfortable to concentrate properly so that they are able to listen and comprehend,” he said.
 The respondents in the Litigation are Secretary Finance Commission, government of India, the Secretary Education Department Jammu and Kashmir, the Director School Education Kashmir and the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
 PIL said the respondents were treating educational institutions as “factories for their personal profit.”
 “Respondents are oblivious to the sufferings of the students, who are being forced to venture out in the nail biting cold,” PIL said.
 To battle the freezing temperature, Litigant said the Centre had granted crores of rupees for the winter schooling. “However, gross misappropriation of the funds is apprehended at the hands of respondents, kudos to their unpleasant past records,” litigant said.
 Respondents have failed to dish out any cash to the school heads and the miseries of the children have already attracted the attention of men and media alike, litigant said. “Students have taken to streets at few places resulting in further complications,” litigation reads.
 Litigant prayed before the court seeking an order or direction commanding the respondents to take measures to furnish winter school with adequate and sufficient heating arrangements. Litigant said in the alternative the respondents may be directed to call off the winter schooling at once in the interest of “safety” of the children.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 IST