The Himachal Pradesh High Court has recently dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the merger of Government Middle School, Machrana into Government Senior Secondary School, Dargi.
The petitioner, Jagdish Chand, sought to quash the notification dated August 17, 2024, which approved the merger.
According to the respondents, there were only five students enrolled at Government Middle School, Machrana, and the staff, consisting of two Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), one Physical Education Teacher (PET), one peon, and one Mid-Day Meal worker, had been adjusted in Government Senior Secondary School, Dargi.
The distance between the two schools is approximately three kilometers.
The court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya, observed that there was no reason to interfere with the merger decision, given the small number of students and the proximity of the two schools.
The court dismissed the PIL, along with any pending applications.