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Supreme Court Of India
N. SANTOSH HEGDE AND B.P. SINGH, JJ.
M.C. MEHTA-Petitioner
Versus
UNIONOF INDIA AND OTHERS- Respondents.
IA No.1 in Writ Petition (C) No. 860 of 1991,
Decided on April 22, 2004
NCERT Syllabus - Environmental Studies - The court directed NCERT to formulate a syllabus on environmental studies for Classes I to XII, which was prepared in consultation with State Governments and other authorities. The court accepted the syllabus and directed all State Governments to respond to the report submitted by NCERT within 8 weeks. NCERT was appointed as a modular agency to monitor the implementation of the syllabus. The court deferred the decision on the request to train teachers in the subject.
Fact of the Case:
The court directed NCERT to formulate a syllabus on environmental studies for Classes I to XII, prepared in consultation with State Governments and other authorities. NCERT submitted the syllabus, and the State Governments were directed to respond within 8 weeks. The petitioner requested directions to train teachers in the subject, which was deferred by the court.
Finding of the Court:
The court accepted the syllabus prepared by NCERT and directed its introduction in all schools in India. NCERT was appointed as a modular agency to monitor the implementation of the syllabus. The court deferred the decision on the request to train teachers in the subject.
Issues: Formulation of environmental studies syllabus by NCERT, consultation with State Governments, introduction of the syllabus in schools, monitoring of syllabus implementation, and training of teachers in the subject.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the acceptance of the syllabus prepared by NCERT, the consultation with State Governments, and the appointment of NCERT as a modular agency to monitor the implementation of the syllabus.
Final Decision: The court accepted the syllabus prepared by NCERT, directed its introduction in all schools in India, and appointed NCERT as a modular agency to monitor the implementation of the syllabus. The decision on the request to train teachers in the subject was deferred.
ORDER
1. By our order dated 18-12-2003t, we had directed NCERT to formulate a syllabus including the one on environmental studies from Classes I to XII. NCERT has since filed a report which encloses the syllabus prepared by it. According to NCERT, this syllabus is prepared in consultation with the State Governments and other authorities concerned.
2. We accept this syllabus and we are of the opinion that the same should be introduced in all the schools in India. However, before passing formal orders in this regard, we would like to have the opinion of the State Governments concerned, hence we direct all the State Governments to respond to the reports submitted by NCERT within 8 weeks from today. Some of the counsel appearing for the State Governments have submitted that they have not received the copies of the report, if so, they can collect the same from the Registry of this Court on payment of nominal charges within a week from today.
3. The State Governments will take note of the fact that NCERT will be appointed as a modular agency to monitor implementation of the syllabus prepared by it.
4. Shri M.C. Mehta, the petitioner in this petition submits that directions should also be given to train the teachers in the subject, but for the time being we do not intend issuing any direction on such request of Shri Mehta. It will be considered at an appropriate time.
5. List this matter for further orders on 13-7-2004. Court Masters
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