NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over a large number of students belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS) dropping out during the pandemic as they could not afford to get necessary gadgets to pursue online classes, the Supreme Court on Friday said it amounted to the right to education being denied for all practical purposes and it is the responsibility of the government to provide them all facilities free of cost.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and B V Nagarathna said a digital divide produced stark consequences during the pandemic as right to education was virtually denied to children belonging to economically weaker sections as they could not afford gadgets.
“Needs of young children who are the future of country cannot be ignored. Some solution has to be found out so that access to education is not denied to those who do not have resources and it is the responsibility of both the Centre and states,” the bench said.
The bench commended the Delhi HC for passing a comprehensive verdict directing the state to provide assistance to such students.