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The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court again upheld the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to merge some primary and upper primary schools in the state.
The High Court had earlier dismissed a similar petition challenging the government’s move.
The division bench of Justices AR Masoodi and Shree Prakash Singh on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Jyoti Rajput, a lawyer.
The PIL challenged the government order dated June 16, on the consolidation of schools, and demanded transportation facilities for children living in remote areas.
Representing the government, Additional Advocate General Anuj Kudesia and Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Kumar Singh argued that a single bench had already delivered a detailed verdict on the issue on July 7, while hearing a petition related to 51 children from Sitapur. Based on this, the division bench found the PIL “non-maintainable” and dismissed it.
On July 7, the single bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia had dismissed all related petitions, stating the government’s step did not violate Article 21A of the Constitution. On the contrary, it aimed to provide children with quality education and equal opportunities, it added. The court observed that resources in small schools were scattered, depriving children of access to adequate teaching staff, libraries, sports, and digital learning facilities. The government submitted that schools with fewer than 50 students or no students at all were being merged with nearby institutions.
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