more-in Mohammed Asim, who recently completed his studies from Government Mappila U.P. School, Velimanna, is upbeat after the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Education Department to provide facilities for his higher studies. “I am happy that I can continue my studies in my village itself,” Asim, who was born without hands and 90% disabilities, told The Hindu on Wednesday. He had filed a petition in the High Court seeking a direction to the Education Department to upgrade the U.P. school to a high school and start Class 8 this year itself. The nearest high school was 5 km away and he had contended that this was a violation of the provisions of the Right to Education Act, which ensures mandatory education for every child up to Class 8 that too within a radius of 3 km. There are no government high schools in Omassery grama panchayat, in which Velimanna falls. The High Court had dismissed 133 of the 134 petitions from across the State, which sought to upgrade lower primary schools as upper primary schools. Saeed Yamani, Asim’s father, said the court order in their favour was the culmination of a five-month-old struggle. A budding artist and singer, Asim is good in studies too. He would have had to give up studies if the school was not upgraded as Asim is not in a position to travel. Asim had written letters to the authorities, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, urging him to intervene in the issue. “We are awaiting a copy of the order for further course of action,” Mr. Saeed added. The Education Department had been asked to provide the facilities in two weeks. Meanwhile, Sartaj Ahamed, convener of the action committee which has been spearheading a campaign to upgrade the school, said that they were ready to provide facilities, including land, for upgrading the school. Local organisations and the Parents-Teachers Association have come forward to purchase 2.5 acres of land to construct new buildings. The grama panchayat has offered land to create a playground. “The government will not have any financial burden,” he said. A few parents have brought back their children from faraway schools to here after they came to know of the court order, he added.

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