Rohtas District Schools Flout Supreme Court Directives on Playgrounds
In a glaring breach of Supreme Court guidelines that designate playgrounds as an indispensable element of schooling, numerous educational institutions in Rohtas district, Bihar, persist in operating without fundamental sports facilities. This widespread deficiency is critically impeding children's physical development and athletic opportunities, as highlighted by education experts and official data.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Widespread Non-Compliance
According to official figures from the education department, a staggering 1,715 government schools and 235 private schools in Rohtas district are functioning without playgrounds. This totals 1,950 institutions lacking dedicated sports spaces, contravening both Supreme Court mandates and the by-laws of the Bihar School Examination Board and Bihar Intermediate Council, which explicitly require playgrounds for all schools.
Detailed data indicates that out of 2,736 government schools in the district, only 1,021 possess playgrounds, leaving 1,715 devoid of such facilities. Similarly, among 506 private schools, merely 271 have playgrounds, with 235 operating without any designated area for physical activities.
Land Shortage and Government Inaction Cited as Primary Causes
Madan Roy, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Rohtas, attributed the absence of playgrounds primarily to land scarcity. He further noted that no effective government-level initiatives have been undertaken to resolve this pressing issue, exacerbating the problem and leaving schools in a state of non-compliance.
Affected Blocks Across Rohtas District
The shortage of playgrounds spans multiple blocks within Rohtas district, severely impacting educational infrastructure. Key affected areas include:
- Rohtas block: 11 schools
- Sanjhauli block: 39 schools
- Sasaram block: 209 schools
- Shiv Sagar block: 172 schools
- Suryapura block: 53 schools
- Tilauthu block: 59 schools
- Akorhi Gola block: 5 schools
Additional blocks facing this issue encompass Bikranganj, Chenari, Dawath, Dehri, Dinara, Karakat, Karghar, Kochas, Nasriganj, Nohsa, Nauhatta, and others, with specific counts such as Dehri (49 schools) and Sasaram (108 schools) highlighting concentrated deficiencies. Notably, two private schools in Tilauthu also lack playgrounds.
Experts Warn of Severe Consequences for Students
Education specialists emphasize that the absence of playgrounds is a significant factor preventing students from Rohtas district from advancing to state or national levels in sports. Regular sporting activities are vital for fostering physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and mental development—all of which are currently being compromised due to inadequate facilities.
Promod Singh, a distinguished lawyer and author of several works on university regulations, commented on the situation, reiterating that Supreme Court directives mandate every school to have a playground, as sports constitute an integral component of education. He asserted that no school should receive recognition or renewal without proper playground facilities, underscoring that education remains incomplete without physical development.
Growing Public Demand for Enforcement of Rules
Many parents and social organizations have expressed profound concern and called for stringent enforcement of regulations. They argue that schools must not be reduced to mere classroom-only institutions, stressing that adequate space for sports and physical activities is essential for the holistic development of children. This collective demand highlights the urgent need for corrective measures to align with legal and educational standards.
