Odisha HC Stays Closure Of Over 11K Primary Schools, Asks Govt To Take Decision In 15 Days

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday issued an interim stay on the decision of the state government to close down 11,560 primary schools having less than 20 students and directed the government to take a decision in this regard within 15 days.

The court issued the directive to the secretary of the School and Mass Education department in response to a PIL filed by the Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangh against the government order for closure of the schools and their merger with the nearby primary schools.

Talking to the mediapersons, counsel of the Mahasangh Bibhuti Bhusan Choudhury said though the court did not say as to what decision the government will take in this regard. The court, however, made it clear that petitioner can move the court again, if the government failed to take a reasonable decision within 15 days.

He said the Mahasangh in its petition had prayed the court that no primary school in any village should be closed no matter if it has less than 20 children. The court seriously took up its plea and issued a reasonable directive to the state government.

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