The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sought a detailed report from the School and Mass Education Department for its move to close down 165 primary schools in the State due to less number of students. Acting on the complaint of activist NA Saha Anshari, the commission has asked the Government to submit the report by May 21.
Notably, Anshari had filed a petition before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in September last year when he knew from the media about the Government’s plan to close down 165 primary schools. The NHRC accepted the petition and transferred the case to the OHRC for disposal. later, the OHRC received the petition and issued notice to the Government to submit a detailed report. Anshari said the State’s plan would violate the norm of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, according to which the State should ensure setting up of a school within one-km range of a village. But the State’s fresh plan contradicts it, he added.