Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: The Tripura Human Rights Commission has observed violations of students’ rights in two Agartala based schools based on reports submitted by students of Tripura Government Law College interning with the Commission.
As part of the internship, the students visited both schools and submitted a detailed report to the Commission on the infrastructure available for students in the institutions.
The reports relate to Prachya Bharati Higher Secondary School and Bijoy Kumar Girls’ Higher Secondary School, where visits were conducted between April 18 and April 21 under an internship programme of the Commission.
“Certain conditions prevailing in the above-mentioned institutions appear to be in violation of the human rights of students,” the Commission said, describing the findings as serious and requiring immediate attention.
The Commission held discussions with the Director of Elementary Education, the Director of Secondary Education and authorities of the two schools. Subsequent reports from the departments and institutions were also examined.
According to the findings, both schools are facing financial constraints affecting sanitation and maintenance. At Prachya Bharati Higher Secondary School, cleaning arrangements are being managed through contributions from teaching staff due to limited funds available under the grant-in-aid system.
Bijoy Kumar Girls’ Higher Secondary School also reported that teachers have created a welfare fund through personal contributions to maintain sanitation in the absence of dedicated funding. The Director of Secondary Education cited limited allocations impacting infrastructure and welfare measures.
The Commission referred to a Supreme Court judgment in Jaya Thakur vs Union of India and others delivered on January 30, 2026, which directed the provision of sanitary products, proper disposal systems and maintenance of sanitation facilities in schools, along with awareness programmes on menstrual hygiene.
It noted that compliance with norms under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, includes ensuring adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities.
The Commission has recommended steps to improve sanitation, hygiene and infrastructure, and asked the authorities to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within three months.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 5, 2026.