Supreme Court Judge Justice Prasanna B. Varale has voiced serious concerns regarding the deteriorating state of government-run schools in Maharashtra. Speaking at an inauguration event for a smart classroom at a high school in the Dhule district, he compared government spending on education with the massive budgets allocated for major infrastructure projects, raising critical questions about state priorities. He pointed out that if a mere 0.1 percent of the funds allocated for the Nashik Kumbh were utilized to rescue Marathi-medium schools, roughly 100 to 125 schools across the state could have been prevented from shutting down.
Kumbh and Corridor Expenditure Comparison
Justice Varale noted that the budget for the Nashik Kumbh is estimated to be around 32,000 to 34,000 crore rupees, while various corridor projects are consuming approximately 11,000 crore rupees. According to his calculations, just 0.1 percent of the Kumbh budget amounts to roughly 32 crore rupees. He argued that if even this fraction were directed toward basic school necessities, numerous institutions facing closure could have been saved.
Personal Roots in Regional Language Education
Reflecting on his own academic journey, the Supreme Court judge shared that he completed his education up to the 10th grade through the Marathi medium in municipal corporation and district council schools. He emphasized that studying in a regional language did not hinder his career path; rather, it broadened his worldview and perspective. Underscoring the importance of learning, he stated that providing children with better facilities must remain a primary objective for the government. In a subsequent conversation with NDTV, he clarified that his remarks on education came straight from his heart.
Prioritizing Student Safety and Basic Rights
Describing children as the future of the nation, Justice Varale stressed that equipping schools with necessary infrastructure is vital. He termed primary education and healthcare as fundamental rights for every citizen. Expanding on his concerns, he touched upon the grim realities of rural schools, recalling an incident where three female students at a school affiliated with a religious institution were allegedly forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of proper facilities, resulting in their tragic deaths from snakebites.
Stagnant Education Budgets
Connecting such tragic incidents to the staggering amounts spent on grand public events and large-scale development projects, he argued that basic needs concerning children's safety and schooling must be given adequate weight in governmental planning. Justice Varale also criticized the stagnation of the state education budget, highlighting that despite a growing number of students enrolling in schools, the budgetary allocation for education has remained below 13 percent for several years.
