The court issued the directives after observing that the Kerala Education Act and Rules did not include the amenities that are required in a school playground
Digital Desk: The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to issue guidelines about the extent of playground necessary in each category of schools and the facilities required, saying that education cannot be restricted to classrooms as it also includes extracurricular activities like sports and games.
The High Court additionally ruled that, upon the issuance of the rules, the state's educational institutions adhere to them, and that those who violate them face severe consequences, up to and including the closing of their establishment.
The guidelines should be released within four months of the day this ruling is received, according to Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan.
The court issued the directives after observing that the Kerala Education Act and Rules did not include the amenities that are required in a school playground, despite being specified in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Affiliation Bye-laws 2018 and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) Rules for Affiliation.
The court stated in its April 11 ruling that the only requirement in the Kerala Education Rules (KER) was that every school have a proper playground for games and sports and the site should contain sufficient clear space for the purpose.
The court also noted that many of the state's schools were founded decades ago and lacked suitable playgrounds for games and sports due to a variety of factors, including later building constructions.
"The school authorities and aided school management are taking advantage of this lacuna in Chapter IV of the KER which is silent about the measurement of the playground necessary in the schools. Therefore, it is imperative to issue an order or regulation about the extent of the playground necessary in all schools in the state and the facilities required in the school’s playground," the court said.
According to Justice Kunhikrishnan, school playgrounds are an integral element of a child's learning environment because they offer a secure and enjoyable space for play and support the growth of children's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical abilities.
"Education shouldn't be limited to the classroom; extracurricular activities like sports and games should also be included in the curriculum. The children's physical abilities—such as their ability to balance and stretch—as well as their hand-eye coordination, heart, and lung function could also improve," the court said.
"Social skills, cognitive skills, and emotional skills also will improve, if the children are allowed to engage in games and other activities in the school playground," the court added.
Additionally, it was stated that a playground is an essential component of a school and that a school can not function without it. "Education for kids should not end in the classroom; it should also extend to the playground. The best kind of classroom is a playground, where kids may learn via play. The playground is a place where kids can express themselves both physically and intellectually," the court stated.
The matter was brought before the court in a plea by the Parent Teachers Association of a Government Welfare Lower Primary School in Pathanamthitta against the district panchayat's construction of a water tank or any other construction within the school compound without the authorization of the educational authorities.
However, the court was notified that the plan to build the water tank had been abandoned and that the grievance had been resolved following the filing of the plea.
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