- Justice Varale highlights Marathi school closures amid shrinking education budget.
- 0.1 per cent of Nashik Kumbh funds could save 100+ schools.
- Emphasises primary education as fundamental right, criticises budget cuts.
Maharashtra: Supreme Court Judge Justice Prasanna B Varale has raised concern over the state of education in Maharashtra, pointing out that Marathi-medium schools across the state are shutting down amid a shrinking education budget, even while substantial funds are allocated for mega-events, like the Nashik Kumbh.
Speaking at the inauguration of 'smart classes' at a high school in Dhule district, Justice Varale said, "Even 0.1 per cent of the Nashik Kumbh expenditure could have saved 100-125 Marathi schools from closing down".
Kumbh Allocations Vs School Funding
Justice Varale noted that the government allocates between Rs 32,000 crore and Rs 34,000 crore for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, alongside Rs 11,000 crore for corridor development projects. He pointed out that allocating just 0.1 per cent of this amount, approximately Rs 32 crore, could have saved 100 to 125 Marathi-medium schools across the state from shutting down.
Justice Varale shared that he completed his education up to 10th grade in municipal and Zilla Parishad Marathi-medium schools. He emphasised that studying in a regional language broadened his perspective and did not hinder his career.
"Children are the future of the country... Essential facilities must be provided for children in schools. Primary education and healthcare are fundamental rights of every citizen," Justice Varale stated in an interview with NDTV.
State Education Budget Continuously Shrinks
He further expressed concern that despite a growing student population, the state education budget has consistently shrunk rather than expanded, failing to reach the 13 per cent mark for several years.
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Highlighting the severe infrastructure deficiencies in rural schools, he cited an incident at a school connected with a religious institution where three female students died from snakebites after being forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of basic facilities.