Alka Verma-
Published On: October 09, 2021 at 13:40 IST
The Supreme Court of India observed that it is the responsibility of State as well as Central Government to provide all the necessary gadgets required for the online classes.
The Court also showed its deep concern on the point that a large number of students, who belongs to economically weaker sections (EWS), have dropped out their classes during the COVID pandemic because of the unaffordability of the gadgets required to commence online classes.
Adding to this, the Court also stated that the such situations led to the denial of Right to Education and thus it is an implied responsibility of the Government to supply all facilities free of cost to the EWS students.
A Bench Comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and B V Nagarathna stated that a digital division that happened during the pandemic had a lot of consequences as it was clearly seen that the Right to Education was virtually denied to children hailing from economically weaker sections as they could not afford gadgets.
The Bench also stated that unaffordability of such gadgets led to increase in the number of dropouts.
“Needs of young children who are the future of country cannot be ignored. Some solution has to be found out so that access to education is not denied to those who do not have resources and it is the responsibility of both the Centre and states,” stated the Bench.
At the end, the Bench gave order to Delhi High Court to pass a comprehensive verdict directing the State to provide all the necessary assistance to such students.
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