Form rules for pre-primary by December 31: Bombay HC to state

Pune: The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court has ordered the state government to formulate the rules and regulations to run pre-primary schools before December 31 this year. Currently, pre-primary schools are not bound by any rules or law by any department.

Though the government asked one year’s time to bring a policy, the court asked it to formulate it within six months.

Judge Manjula Chellur and R.M. Borade this week ordered the government to bring up policy resonating section 11 of the Right to Education Act while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dr Jagannath Patil, social activist and former member of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) board. Mr Patil demanded a policy to run pre-primary schools in his PIL.

According to section 11 of the RTE Act, “With a view to prepare children above the age of three years for elementary education and to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years, the appropriate government shall make necessary arrangement for providing free pre-school education for such children.”

Mr Patil, who filed the PIL in 2015, said, “There is absolutely no rule or regulation on pre-primary schools. It does not come under any department. I filed the PIL demanding government to formulate common syllabus, proper fee structure, qualification of teachers and availability of medicines at pre-primary schools.”

Mr Patil added that currently anybody can start and run play groups, nurseries and kinder gardens that are pre-primary schools. “As there are no rules and regulations, owners of pre-primary schools charge exorbitant fees from parents. Fees range from `5,000-10,000 to `1 lakh,” he said.

Mukund Kirdat, a social activist, said, “Most importantly, nobody knows what qualification is required to become a teacher at pre-primary schools. Hence one can find teachers without proper qualification teaching kids. Sometime schools due to lack of manpower ask nannies who just need to take care of children, to teach them.”

Mr Patil said many corporate companies have begun franchises of play schools. “Last year, one of the franchisees of a leading school that has branches all across the state suddenly closed down its play schools. Parents did not know where to go as pre-primary schools are regulated by no department. It is shocking, as if you want to start a shop you need licenses.” he said.

Surprisingly, secretary of the education department during the hearing told the court that the matters fall under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department. However, WCD representatives told the court that the education department should formulate the rule. Finally, the court asked the state to come up with a policy before December 31.