Over 10 lakh children out of schools and anganwadis in Karnataka

BENGALURU: The High Court of Karnataka has been informed that over 10 lakh children below the age of 14 in the state are out of schools and anganwadis. An amicus curiae (an individual or organisation who is not a party to a legal case, but who is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case) submitted a report on the same in a public interest litigation (PIL) by K N Phaneendra, Senior Advocate.

The PIL was initiated on its own by the court in 2013, and Acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Alok Aradhe heard the case on July 6. The submission consists of the status report of children that was collected through door-to-door survey conducted by various departments of the state governments, including that of rural development, urban development, women and child development.

The High Court of Karnataka recorded the report and directed the committee of higher officials, which has been constituted by the Court only, to meet on July 16 and find ways to bring back children, especially those between the age of three and six, to anganwadis. Hearing of the case has been adjourned to July 19.

The survey was conducted in rural areas of the state in October 2021, and in the limits of 320 urban local bodies (including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike) in March 2022. The report noted that over 15,000 children aged between six and 14 are out of school across the state. Moreover, around 4.54 lakh children that are aged below three are not enrolled in anganwadis. Additionally, around 5.33 lakh children aged between four and six are not enrolled either. A total of 10.12 lakh children in Karnataka therefore have been found to be currently out of the education system.