Collapse Of School Ceiling Wall: Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo-Motu Cognizance Of Infrastructural Deficit Issue In Schools

The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of infrastructure related issues facing schools in wake of the recent tragic incident of falling of school wall ceiling leading to death and injury of students.

The Court took note of the report on ‘Safe and Secure Environment’ in which the child rights body viz., National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) highlighted a critical concern regarding school infrastructure across the Country.

The single bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand observed, "Schools are critical institutions, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the citizens of tomorrow. A safe and secure environment is a prerequisite for effective teaching and learning. Thus, ensuring the safety of children, teachers and staff members during disasters is necessary & imperative. Prioritizing children’s safety not only safeguards their well-being but also reinforces the role of schools as secure shelters, enabling them to serve a dual purpose as evacuation centers during emergencies."

The Court pointed out that the Government of Rajasthan allocates approximately 6% of its total budget on education, yet the State continues to lag in infrastructural development of Government schools.

It majorly highlighted the lack of toilet facilities for girls in schools, lack of access to free sanitary pads in schools which it stated significantly affecting girls’ health, well-being and education.

"School infrastructure plays a pivotal role in creating a conducive learning environment and inadequacies in this sphere can severely affect the student’s retention and academic performance. Despite being the largest state in India, Rajasthan continues to struggle with low literacy rates, especially among females," the Court observed.

Stating that despite significant progress in expanding access to education in India, the condition of school infrastructure across the country remains a major concern, the Court listed out other major issues such as lack of functional electricity, uneven digital learning tools, poor basic amenities like drinking water and toilet facilities, accessibility, inadequate laboratory infrastructure, limited adoption of sustainable energy solutions

"These findings underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms and greater investment in school infrastructure, particularly in government-run institutions. Bridging these gaps is essential not just for the holistic development of students but also for ensuring equitable access to quality education across urban and rural India", the Court observed.

It also stressed that "school safety"; means creating a safe environment for children, starting from their homes to their schools and back which includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and man-made, fire, transportation as well as emotional safety.

The Court thus accordingly issued show-cause Notices to Respondents and posted the matter for August 01, 2025.

Cause Title: IN RE: Safety and well-being of School Going Children vs Union of India

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