The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has ordered the closure of unauthorised private unaided schools which are running without affiliation of either State or central boards, by August 14.
There are 63 unauthorised schools running without any affiliation. According to the order issued by B.B. Cauvery, Commissioner for Public Instruction, these unauthorised schools should be closed by Monday.
1,316 unauthorised schools
Earlier, the department had identified 1,316 unauthorised schools in the State. Among these, the department listed 63 as running without State or central board affiliation and around 620 schools as having additional sections without permission.
As many as 74 schools have upgraded the classes without affiliation. A total of 95 schools were also found cheating parents and children by offering other board education though they have permission to offer only State board. Around 294 schools were illegally offering English medium despite permission to teach in Kannada medium, and 141 schools were identified for shifting the schools without getting permission from the department concerned.
The department granted 45 days grace period for these schools to follow the rules and rectify their mistake in April 2023, but these schools failed to do so.
The department had also ordered all the Deputy Directors of Public Instructions (DDPIs) to issue public notices about the illegal schools to inform parents not to admit their children and restrict the Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS) registration. However, the DDPIs failed to take necessary action.
“According to the Karnataka Education Act-1983, sections 30 and 31, running educational institutions without any affiliation is illegal. Therefore, the DDPIs concerned should immediately close those schools by August 14 and publish the details of those schools in a media release and on the notice board of the department to create awareness among parents and the public,” said the Commissioner’s order.
In addition, 74 schools that have upgraded the classes without affiliation will have to shut down the additional classes by August 14.
Notices to be issued
The DDPIs will start issuing notices to the schools offering other board education, those illegally offering English medium, and to schools that have shifted without getting permission. The department will put out a separate order with measures to be taken for the 620 schools which have additional sections without permission.
The commissioner has also expressed her displeasure as only DDPIs in 16 of 35 educational districts have submitted the report regarding unauthorised schools, that too with incomplete details. “The DDPIs should take necessary action about unauthorised schools and submit the report before August 16. Otherwise, disciplinary action will be taken,” she warned in the order.
