Children's organisation moves SC

Children from the National Inclusive Children’s Parliament (NICP), in a petition submitted to the Supreme Court, have raised concerns about the impact of school closures during air pollution emergencies, highlighting the adverse effects on their rights to education, nutrition and safety.

The petition, submitted by PRATYeK, an NGO, on behalf of the children, urges the court to consider the long-term impact of such closures, particularly on children from the marginalised communities.

In their letter, the children expressed their happiness that schools had finally reopened after the pollution-related closures, but emphasised that many of their basic needs were left unaddressed during the shutdowns. "We are so happy that schools have finally reopened, as directed by our Supreme Court. It feels great to go back to learning and meeting our friends. But we want to share something troubling many children in our communities," the petition read.

One of the most pressing issues raised by the children is the disruption to the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which many children from impoverished communities rely on for their primary source of nutrition. "For us children living in slum areas and impoverished settlements, schools are not just places to study. They are where we get our meals, often the only meal of the day. When schools were closed, many of us went to bed hungry," the petition stated.

The petition highlighted that the Right to Education (RTE) mandates 220 school days per year, meaning that for the remaining 156 days, children were deprived of their meals. “This is tough for children, especially when so many of us are underweight, stunted or malnourished," the children wrote, citing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21).

The NICP also emphasised the need for hybrid modes of instruction during emergencies to ensure children could still access education and vital resources. "We recommend that during emergencies, hybrid modes of instruction should be available, allowing children the option of safe in-person learning while ensuring access to essential resources and support," said Nikky, president of NICP, who penned the letter.

The children also proposed that schools be developed into day-boarding facilities and holiday activity hubs to provide continuous access to food, safety and holistic development, especially during long breaks. "We dream of the day when our schools become day-boardings and holiday camp sites for sports, extra-curricular activities and vocational training," the petition expressed.

Among its key recommendations, the NICP urged the court to ensure that mid-day meals be provided to the children even during school closures, whether through hot cooked meals or dry rations, to meet their nutritional needs. Additionally, it called for improvements in air quality in schools through air purifiers and face masks to safeguard children’s health.