The court upheld the government's decision on playground construction while noting the statutory provisions for educational activities.

JUDGMENT

Anil K. Narendran, J.

This writ appeal arises out of the judgment dated 31.07.2025 of the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C)No.16322 of 2025. The 1^st appellant, who is the President of the Parent-Teacher Association and the 2^nd appellant, who is the President of the School Managing Committee of Government Upper Primary School, Karingappara in Malappuram District, have filed this writ appeal, invoking the provisions under Section 5(i) of the Kerala High Act , 1958, challenging the said judgment of the learned Single Judge in that writ petition, which was one filed by the appellants-petitioners, invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India , seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to take steps to carry out the construction of synthetic football turf in the school, under the project ‘One Play Ground for One Panchayat’, after hearing the petitioners, in such a way, without causing any inconvenience for the academic activities of the students and the school; and a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to immediately consider the Exts.P2 and P3 representations dated 28.03.2025 made by the petitioners, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. By the impugned judgment dated 31.07.2025, the learned Single Judge dismissed W.P.(C)No.16322 of 2025. Paragraphs 7, 8 and also the last paragraph of that judgment read thus;

“7. The synthetic turf is being constructed in the School ground under a Government Project named “One Playground for One Panchayat” floated by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Government has decided to construct synthetic football turf in the School ground taking into consideration the larger interest of children and youth. When the PTA expressed certain concerns, those concerns were addressed and modifications were made to the plan.

8. According to the 2^nd respondent, almost 80% of the work pertaining to the playground is over. Students themselves have requested for construction of the playground. In the circumstances, the petitioners cannot insist that a synthetic football turf should not be constructed. It is essentially a policy matter already decided by the Government and School authorities.

In the circumstances of the case, I find no reason to interfere. The writ petition is hence dismissed.”

3. This writ appeal was filed along with C.M.Appl.No.1 of

2025 to condone the filing delay of 72 days, which was condoned by the order dated 24.11.2025.

4. On 11.12.2025, when this writ appeal came up for admission, this Court passed the following order;

“This writ appeal is filed challenging the judgment dated 31.07.2025 of the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C)No.16322 of 2025.

2. The stand taken in the counter affidavit filed by the 2^nd respondent in W.P.(C)No.16322 of 2025 is that a playground has been sanctioned to Government Upper Primary School, Karingapara, Malappuram, by the Government under the ‘One Playground for One Panchayat’ project, floated by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. Under the said project, construction of synthetic football turf has already been commenced in the school in question. 50% of the fund will be from MLA Area Development Scheme Fund and 50% will be borne by the State Government. The combined administrative sanction issued by the Director, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, is for an amount of Rs.62,72,000/- and the work is being carried out by the Sports Kerala Foundation, a Government of Kerala undertaking functioning under the

2^nd respondent.

3. After arguing for some time, the learned Senior Government Pleader seeks time to get instructions as to whether the playground under construction in the Government Upper