High Court Asks Haryana Govt To File Fresh Affidavit On Teacher Shortage, Infrastructure Adequacy In Govt Schools

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the State of Haryana to file an additional affidavit furnishing district-wise data on government schools strictly in accordance with the norms and standards prescribed under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry passed the directions while considering a suo motu case initiated on the basis of news reports highlighting an acute shortage of teachers in Haryana's government schools, with instances of a single teacher managing up to 500 students.

The Court took note of an affidavit dated 18.11.2025 filed by Shri Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education, Haryana, which stated that except for the districts of Faridabad, Nuh (Mewat) and Palwal, all other districts were complying with the prescribed Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR).

However, the Bench observed that the figures furnished in the affidavit were not in conformity with the norms and standards laid down under the Schedule to the Act of 2009 for primary schools and upper primary (middle) schools.

“This Court, therefore, directs that the data to be furnished by way of an additional affidavit shall strictly adhere to and be presented in accordance with the norms and standards specified in the Schedule to the Act of 2009,” the Court said.

The High Court directed the State to disclose the following information in the additional affidavit:

i. The number of special education teachers for Children with Special Needs for primary schools as well as upper primary (middle) schools.

ii. Whether the school buildings conform to the norms and standards prescribed under the Act of 2009.

iii. Whether teaching learning equipment is available and in proper working condition, as required under the said Schedule.

iv. Whether libraries, as prescribed under the Schedule, are available and adequately equipped with requisite magazines and story books.

v. Whether play material, games, and sports equipment are available and in functional condition.

An additional affidavit shall also disclose the present status of the recruitment process initiated pursuant to the advertisement dated 09.08.2024, as referred to in paragraph 4 of the earlier affidavit.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION V/S STATE OF HARYANA