14th July, 2025
In a significant move towards ensuring gender-sensitive educational infrastructure, the Rajasthan High Court has asked the state education department to clarify the future of a newly constructed school building in Delwara, originally intended for the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School. The building’s purpose became uncertain following the merger of the girls’ school with a nearby boys’ school on July 14, 2025, sparking legal scrutiny.
Background: Student Petition & Overcrowding
The controversy began when 276 girls were merged into the boys’ school, which already enrolled 303 male students, creating serious overcrowding concerns. The merger was challenged by a group of students, led by Priya Damer, who filed a petition alleging lack of parental consent and rising safety, privacy, and infrastructure issues.
High Court’s Intervention & Orders
Justice Anoop Dhand of the Rajasthan High Court pressed the state’s education authorities to clarify whether the newly built facility would still serve as a girls-only school or be repurposed for other government use. Education officials have been directed to submit their response—detailing plans for the use of the building—within two weeks, via a video-conference hearing.
Why This Matters for Girl Students & Education Equity
- Preserving Rights & Safety: A separate facility is vital to uphold safety, comfort, and privacy—often overlooked in co-educational setups.
- Accessible Education: Overcrowding dilutes the quality of learning. Restoring a separate girls’ campus can protect academic focus and retention.
- Ensuring Accountability: The High Court’s order underlines the responsibility of the state to maintain gender-sensitive infrastructure, especially when investments have already been made.