Kerala High Court Stays Order to Use School Buses for ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’

The Kerala High Court has issued a stay order on the Director of General Education’s (DGE) directive to release school buses for transporting people to the ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ event. The order came in response to a petition filed by Philip Joseph, a Kasaragod resident, who argued that the proposal to use school buses for the event would disrupt the normal functioning of schools.

Joseph contended that, as per motor vehicle rules and permits, school buses are designated for educational purposes only. The petitioner asserted that the DGE’s order is illegal and could adversely impact students who rely on school buses for transportation. Additionally, he highlighted verbal instructions from education department authorities, mandating teachers and staff attendance at the event even on working days, potentially disrupting school routines. The court found merit in the petitioner’s concerns and issued the stay order, preventing the implementation of the DGE’s directive without court permission.