State child right panel in Punjab issue notice in response to introduction of English medium in smart schools

Vinod Kakumanu
Jan. 8, 2020, 10:29 a.m.

Responding to the Punjab education department’s move concerning introduction of English medium in smart schools in the state, the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PSCPCR) has issued a notice to secretary (school education) demanding him to appear before the panel and present a status report on the matter.

The commission has issued the notice to the education department after its officials did not present themselves before the commission after a complaint was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The complainant in question is a high court lawyer H.C. Arora who contend that by introducing English medium of instruction in smart schools in urban and rural areas the education department has violated the Article 26 (3) of the Indian Constitution on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The commission corresponded with the secretary (school education), Krishna Kumar wherein he was asked to submit a status report within 20 days. The status report was not submitted and a fresh notice was issued.

It has been reported that around 3,718 government primary, middle, high and secondary schools have been listed for conversion into self-smart schools across the state.