PIL filed in HC on West Bengal government’s decision to reopen schools from November 16

Terming as “unscientific” the West Bengal Board of School Education’s decision to reopen institutions from November 16, a PIL was filed on Monday before the Calcutta High Court, seeking a review of the COVID-19 situation and the need for the government. There was a demand for constitution of an expert committee to provide recommendations. in this matter. The petitioner claimed that the students up to the age of 18 have not been vaccinated yet, and the physical classes will only increase the chances of COVID-19 transmission among them.

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) on October 29 had issued a notification for the reopening of schools for students of classes IX to XII from November 16 with certain guidelines on maintenance of COVID-19 protocols. It specified different time slots for secondary and higher secondary students.

Praying for quashing of the notice, the petitioner sought appointment of an expert committee which would assess the prevailing situation and then suggest to the government. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) states that the government should follow the recommendations of the committee and take its decision on reopening the schools accordingly. The petitioner, a lawyer by profession, said the PIL is likely to be mentioned in the court of the Chief Justice later this week.