With the State government reportedly deciding to file an appeal against the Kerala High Court order directing the Education Department to upgrade Government Upper Primary School, Velimanna, Kozhikode, to facilitate the higher studies of Mohammed Asim, a differently-abled boy, his parents, a local action committee, as well as the PTA have impleaded in the case.
Speaking to The Hindu, Anwar Sadath P.K., PTA president, accused the department of going back on its initial stand not to challenge the order of the single judge.
Pleas dismissed
The High Court had dismissed 133 of the 134 petitions from across the State, which sought to upgrade lower primary schools as upper primary schools, on June 11.
The court had considered Asim’s case on humanitarian grounds as it was pointed out in the petition that the nearest high school was 5 km away. Asim was born without hands, and he has a 90% disability too. However, he finished Class 7, excelling in studies as well as extracurricular activities such as drawing.
Also, there are no government high schools in Omassery grama panchayat, in which Velimanna falls. Asim had contended that it was a violation of the provisions of the Right to Education Act, which ensures mandatory education for every child up to Class 8, that too within a radius of 3 km. “The decision to go on appeal could be seen as denial of justice, as the government itself had honoured Asim’s talent with the Ujjwalabalyam Award. The case is expected to come up before the court on July 18,” he said.
Asim’s father Mohammed Saeed said he would continue the legal battle till his son got justice. Education Department officials were not available for comments.
