NHRC notice to MP Govt over kids crossing check dam to reach school
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh Government over reports that schoolchildren in Vidisha district are risking their lives by hopping across the pillars of a check dam to cross the Betwa River and reach school.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the Commission sought a detailed report from the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary within two weeks, observing that if the allegations are true, they raise serious concerns about the violation of children’s human rights.
According to the NHRC, students are taking the dangerous route because it reduces the distance to school from 13 km by road to about 1.5 km. A video showing children jumping across exposed check dam pillars has reportedly gone viral on social media.
The Commission noted that Article 21A of the Constitution guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, while the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 makes education a legal right for every child in that age group. It also cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Avinash Mehrotra vs Union of India (2009) case, which held that the right to education includes access to safe school infrastructure.
The NHRC observed that the absence of safe transport or access to school amounts to a denial of children’s right to education with dignity.
According to media reports, villagers said they are unable to accompany their children to school because they have to work in the fields, leaving families with the choice of either sending children through the hazardous route or discontinuing their education.
The Commission also referred to reports that a student failed her final examinations after frequently missing school because she was unable to cross the check dam pillars due to her short height.
While the District Education Officer has inspected the site and informed the District Collector, the NHRC noted that no timeline has been announced for constructing a safe crossing over the river.
