Court confirms art education imparted by trained teachers in Rajasthan schools meets statutory requirements under the Right of Child to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
In a significant ruling dated September 3, 2026, the Rajasthan High Court's Jaipur Bench dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought directives to ensure the proper implementation of "Kala Shiksha" (Art Education) in schools across the state. The petition, filed by Mr. Vimal Sharma, had contended that art education was not being imparted effectively or through qualified teachers, thereby violating the provisions of the Right of Child to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The petitioner's prayers included directions for the State Government to appoint specialized art teachers, to prohibit issuing marks or grading in Kala Shiksha without proper teaching, and to make Kala Shiksha a compulsory subject with adequate teaching staff.
In response, the State Government clarified that art education is treated as a co-curricular subject in schools and is imparted by teachers who have studied arts as a subject in their Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) courses. The State submitted that students from Class I to X receive art education through teachers trained appropriately-those up to Class V having completed the Basic School Teaching Certificate (BSTC) and those from Class VI to VIII holding B.Ed. degrees with arts subjects included. The syllabus encompasses a wide array of arts including wall painting, calligraphy, folk arts of Rajasthan such as Rangoli and Mandana, freehand drawing, music, drama, and folk theatre, illustrating the comprehensive nature of Kala Shiksha.
The Court, after examining the State's affidavit and hearing submissions from the Advocate General, found the State's compliance satisfactory and held that the appointment of teachers with arts background in their education training was sufficient to meet the statutory requirements under the Right of Child to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The Court noted that specialized art teachers focusing exclusively on individual art forms might not be necessary given the broad spectrum of art education covered.
Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of, and the related contempt petition was also closed. This judgment underscores the judiciary's recognition of the State's efforts to fulfill its statutory obligations in providing holistic education, including co-curricular art education, to children.
Bottom Line:
The Court held that the State Government has complied with the provisions of the Right of Child to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, regarding the inclusion of art education in schools and its implementation by teachers who have studied Arts as a subject in their B.Ed. courses.
Statutory provision(s): Right of Child to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
Vimal Sharma v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan)(DB)(Jaipur Bench) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2976766
