Gujarat High Court Suggests 10% RTE Admissions at Seventh Day School After Student Murder Case

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a stern but reform-oriented observation following the shocking murder of a student at Seventh Day School in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat High Court has suggested that the school admit 10 percent of students annually under the Right to Education (RTE) Act at nominal fees. The court said this step should not only serve as a lesson from the incident but also as a way to give back to society.

The Gujarat High Court,  while hearing the petition filed by the school against a notice it had received, stressed that around 1,000 students could benefit from quality education through such an arrangement. “This incident should be an eye-opener, not just for this institution but for all educational establishments in the state,” the judge observed.

Security Responsibility Rests with the School

The bench also came down heavily on the school’s inadequate security system, which came under the scanner after the fatal assault. “The entire responsibility of installing and monitoring CCTV cameras, and ensuring the safety of students, lies with the school management,” the High Court remarked.

The court has directed the District Education Officer (DEO) and the Education Commissioner to extend full cooperation to the school in improving security and safety measures. It also suggested the formation of a committee that would include inputs from the deceased student’s family to make systemic improvements.

“Not Just Punishment, But Reform”

The High Court made it clear that the case goes beyond legal proceedings. The aim is not only to penalize negligence but also to introduce reforms in the education system to prevent such tragedies in the future. “All sympathies are with the family of the deceased,” the judge said, while underlining the importance of turning the tragedy into an opportunity for systemic change.

Legal experts called the suggestion progressive. Advocate Hitesh Patel, commenting on the development, said, “The High Court is setting an example here—justice should not only address the wrong but also build a safer and more equitable future.”

Families Demand Accountability

Parents of students studying at Seventh Day School also gathered outside the premises, demanding immediate upgrades in security. One parent said, “We send our children to school trusting they will be safe. After this incident, trust has been shaken. The court’s intervention is timely.”

Towards a Safer, More Equitable Education System

The next hearing is scheduled for September 24, where the court is expected to review the school’s compliance with its directions. If implemented, this decision could prove to be a landmark for Gujarat’s education system, ensuring that poor and underprivileged children also gain access to quality education while reinforcing the need for strict security in schools.