AHMEDABAD, AUG 15: The Gujarat High Court has observed that financial burden cannot be an excuse for not implementing the education programme at primary level in the State.The observation was made by a Division Bench comprising Justice B C Patel and Justice P B Majmudar while disposing of a public interest litigation and a suo motu petition, seeking direction that primary education be made free and compulsory.``In the matter of education, financial burden can never be the subject matter and financial burden of constraint can never be put as a defence in not implementing the education programme at primary level,'' the court observed. The authorities need to do some introspection if the dropout rate remained high despite efforts made by the State Government, the court noted.The petition, filed by Satya Pal Anand, had sought direction that primary education should be made free and compulsory. Besides, it sought the appointment of more teachers and enforcement of punitive clauses regarding compulsory education.To the petitioner's submission that in Surat district alone there are 15,000 child labourers in the diamond-cutting industry, the court observed, ``It is a sad commentary on the State administration that in a welfare State, young children of impressionable age instead of attending classes and playing with other children of their age are forced to rummage in garbage dumps for leftovers or are off to jobs in hotels/restaurants, as domestic servants, etc.''The court further observed, ``Actually, this amounts to human rights violations. Education is the principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment.''With these observations, the court expressed hope that the State Government will put in more effort to provide compulsory education, as laid down in the Article 21 of the Constitution. ``It would, therefore, be the duty and pious obligation of the State to see that no child between six and 14 years is left out from getting the benefit of education. Poverty and financial constraint of any individual should not result in illiteracy of child of such person.'' the court observed.While government pleader Arun Oza appeared for the State government, advocate N D Nanavati appeared as amicus curiae.
