Execute edu scheme in special kids’ schools: HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the Maharashtra government to ensure that the key education scheme ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ is implemented in state-run homes for children with mental deficiency.

A division bench of Justices A.S. Oka and M.S. Sonak was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation following media reports on the poor condition of orphanages and homes for children with mental deficiency in Mumbai. The court had in the past appointed a committee headed by Dr Asha Bajpai, an activist, to look into the issue and submit periodical reports.

The court last week took note of an affidavit filed by the commissioner of persons with disabilities which said the government’s scheme and the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) would also apply to such homes.

The affidavit urged the court to pass a direction to the state.