The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to issue guidelines regarding the necessary extent of playgrounds in each category of schools and the facilities required therein.
Emphasizing that education encompasses more than just classrooms and includes extracurricular activities like sports and games, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan further ordered that once the guidelines are issued, all schools in the state must adhere to them, with stringent action, including closure of institutions, against violators.
The court mandated that the guidelines be issued within four months from the receipt of this order. This directive follows the observation that while the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Affiliation Bye-laws 2018 and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) Rules for Affiliation clearly outline the necessary playground facilities for schools, the same specifications were absent in the Kerala Education Act and Rules.
Highlighting that the only condition in the Kerala Education Rules (KER) mandates every school to have a suitable playground for games and sports, with sufficient clear space, the court noted a gap in Chapter IV of the KER regarding the measurement of required playground space.
The court emphasized the necessity of issuing regulations about the extent of necessary playgrounds and required facilities, considering that many schools in the state lack adequate playgrounds due to various reasons, including subsequent building constructions.
Asserting that school playgrounds are integral to a child’s learning environment, providing a safe and enjoyable space for play, the court stressed that education should extend beyond classrooms to include extracurricular activities like sports and games. Such activities aid in the physical, social, emotional, and imaginative development of children.
Additionally, the court reiterated that a playground is an essential component of a school, emphasizing its role in children’s holistic development. The issue arose in a plea by the Parent Teachers Association of a Government Welfare Lower Primary School in Pathanamthitta against unauthorized construction within the school compound by the district panchayat.