The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all States and Union Territories to ensure that basic toilet facilities, in particular to girl students, are provided in all schools within six months.
A Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra gave the direction on a petition from the Environmental and Consumer Protection Foundation since it was informed that the court’s direction issued in October last was yet to be implemented by many States, which sought further time.
The court had said: “Right to free and compulsory education of children in the age group of six to 14 is part of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21-A. This right cannot be enjoyed unless basic infrastructure is provided by the state. While keeping this in view, we, in our order dated October 11, 2011, gave a direction to the States to provide basic toilet facilities to children, girl children in particular.”
The court had said, “Experience and empirical survey have revealed that parents are reluctant to send their children, particularly girls, to schools where basic toilet facilities are not available. The direct consequence is breach of children’s fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21-A. If it is not possible to provide permanent toilets, then at least temporary toilets are provided on or before November 30, 2011 and permanent toilets be made available by December 31, 2011.”
The Chief Secretaries of all States were directed to ensure that separate permanent toilets for boys and girls were constructed in all schools on or before March 31, 2012. In case it was not possible to construct permanent toilets, at least temporary ones should be made available on or before February 28.
Keywords: school toilets, sanitation in schools, school infrastructure
It's a pity that even for implementation of basic amenities to the people, the Supreme Court must intervene. What's the need for a government then, if the courts have to govern?
I live in USA and this is not an issue at all as it is mandatory to have functioning toilets by all establishments.This is the most important and easiest to enforce and we cannot do this and then call ourselves as superpower shamelessly.Clean and required number of toilets are an example of civility.I still remember the dirtiest toilets we had as students while in India that too in a city.
Court orders may tend to boost our principles but in actual practice, they remain "unimplemented" in several places incl.
Delhi - why? Govt cares little for poor and only talks big;
ONLY way we can teach the administrators in charge IS to make
their home toilets "cash and carry" basis (without flush, I mean) and ask them to pay for servants to get them cleaned daily ! They will learn a lesson BUT who will bell this cat ? All social uplift of poor is on our lips but nothing really done actual; PITY - when will we be rid of this type of imposters in our rule and admin? Only God can answer this eh ! Or help us to get answer !!!
hope the things in India are becoming more complex day by day.it is
shame to know that until the supreme court of India make a notice,
government didn't recognized the basic facilities for children in
school.may be it is the cause that scams in the government is making it
to create plans to come out of it,despite making efforts to provide
basic needs to people and pupil.
The learned Judges pass an Utopian order which is ignored by the Government of the day and the bueraucracy. If an order is not seen through to its implementaion, it is a waste of taxpayer's time and money.
What's the point in having toilets without proper sewage system and
running water? Without having access to clean water to wash one's
hands after using the toilets, these half-thought-out ideas are simply
continuing to perpetuate breeding grounds for all the diseases one can
easily imagine. Eco-friendly toilet designs are available, but that
requires proper planning to implement and ensuring hygiene. Otherwise
court directives are pointless since the people who are responsible
for implementing these ideas are usually lazy bureaucrats who often
have no concept of the real challenges on the ground. In the end this
will simply become another gimmick to plunder, as usual. Except
they'll be officially supported by tenders - one may call it - toilet-
gate.
Where will the money come from? The Supreme Court seems to be no
different from our politicians who would like to banish poverty,
illiteracy and disease with a stroke of the pen. If only things were so
simple!
Since 1947 this type of orders and laws passed by SC .There is no new things in it.
Main motto is to without wasting time on passing such type of essential laws please implement and do it in right time.
Otherwise above tings only look in paper and mails not seen in real life.
Hope for good implements.///
I agree with the point that GOD needs to descend himself to make our nation rulers realise the basic necessities deserved by our citizens.
Henceforth, people running the schools should realise these things on their own rather than being nagged by the Court.
Anyways, its better to be late than never :)
After 65 years of independence our SC has to direct the authorities
to provide basic needs to our citizens.The next one will be garbage
disposal.These two,clean toilets and garbage are a big problem combined
with water shortage.Is any one cares about this country any more? If
our politicians cannot solve this problem and SC issue this kind of
ordinance why we need elected officials? We need a iron fist to solve
this and that is the only way,unfortunately.
It is worth mentioning here about the importance of the provision of toilet facilities in all educational institutions from primary schools to Universities. It is gloomy news that in some of the universities too such facilities are not complete with the result students/public going there do find inconveniences. At the time when we celebrated the birthday of the father of the nation who emphasised on this point, it is a misery that we have to receive such an order from the SC.
Till date SC has not punished Central or State Government for violation of Constitution or violation its' orders. Toilet order will also gather dust as there is no Law or Order in India.This is the position even after 65 years of indpendence. Our PM should invite FDI for construction of toilets as Govt has no money
There is no point in just providing the toilets if pupils and people are not taught to keep if clean and hygienic. Most people don't use the toilet just because it is not clean and prefer open defacation. Indians don't have the habit of the leaving the toilets clean once used. Most of them feel so ashamed to use the mop provided for cleaning the toilet as if it is the job of others. Indian always expect someone to be appointed to clean the toilet. If this attitude of Indians is not going to change, there is no point in providing a million toilets across India.
It is good news - at least the judiciary is taking care of the rights
and needs of the citizens.
Nevertheless, it is also sad to see that what should be a absolutely
basic necessary feature provided in any school has to be enforced by
the highest court of the country.
Makes one think - what kind of work was done by the CPWD or State PWD
while constructing such school buildings ! a school without toilet !
No civil engineer could have approved such a building plan. it has to
be omnipresent endemic corruption in the system which has led to such
glaring gap.
Thank you supreme court,
Our rulers have wilded billions on them selves, and cap all unrest have now giving daily doles , to keep the masses cool, but have made them virtual beggers, similarly todays gandhians have even failed to give our nationals the basic Water and sanitation, this will help the people and put a check on our crafty political doles of treating poor as beggers.
With this even a child can answer the charges of present government functionaries, so stoutly attacking courts, that why court intervention is needed in administrative affairs. When administration cannot deliver such a basic thing then should GOD himself descend from heaven a and tell them that what is right or wrong. NO, it is the courts which will come to the rescue of common man. Another puddle of mud on the Government. Long live our courts.
I studied in a municipal school in Tamilnadu during 1983 - 1992.
There was no toilet for students during that period. Last month I
have visited the school and found there is no toilet for students
event today. In 30 years they haven't provided a simple and most
important facility. Shame on our nation.
I salute the Supreme Court in passing such orders with a time frame. It is a same for all political parties who are to be told as what is to be done. Such basic requirements need to be made as a rule to include in the political agenda when the go to polls. It is the duty of all concerned to bring such awareness for the benefit of our society.
Some of the government agencies are good at mocking SC, They may provide
Toilets, but with out sufficient water - as it is not included in the SC
orders.
What a shame. Does society in India really need a court directive to provide basic sanitary facilities in schools ? Hygiene should be taught from kindergarten so that children will grow up with a 'culture of cleanliness'. Parents have a very important role to play in teaching their children. If schools lack toilets then its no wonder that open defecation is widespread in India. The goons in the Planning Commission have to answer a lot of questions about their myopic vision and the future of our country.
I still remember my AIEEE exam in 2004 in a Delhi government school where toilet only had a wall without any urinals and one was expected to relieve himself on it. I hope court ensures that same story is not repeated and all toilets meet some basic standards.
Should the whole of India not have more toilets---------in less than six months??
Dear Judges/lawyers....pls make toilets at all juduciary courts
first????.... there is lot of darkness below lamp itself?
Vikaspuri a posh area of the capital city of India has slums - occupants
of which are defecating in open - Govt should provide toilets to them so
as to avoid any epidemic in the vicinity
Why do we waste the courts time in having it pass orders that should be obvious measures for any School?
It is regrettable that this needs to be done.
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