167 schools ‘unrecognised’ by dy. director of education

Mumbai: The deputy director of education has issued a list of 167 schools that are unrecognised and has warned parents against sending their children to these schools. The list includes a host of schools operating without proper permissions including NOCs, and not complying with the 10 requirements related to infrastructure and logistics such as provision of a compound wall, rest rooms, drinking water facilities, playground, library, and spacious and ventilated classrooms. The schools are located in Mumbai, Raigad and Palghar.

Deputy director B.B. Chavan said that in the event these schools are shut down, the government will not be responsible as parents need to verify authenticity of schools before enrolling their children in them.

“Before admitting students in schools, parents must check whether they are recognised or not. If they don’t check, they will be responsible for something happening in future,” Mr Chavan said.

“The number of unrecognised schools is rising with each successive year. We have listed 318 schools in five districts and action will be initiated against them after we conduct an inquiry,” he added.

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, schools can be fined Rs 10,000 per day until they meet norms if they are found running in the absence of recognition, and managements of these schools would also have to pay a penalty of Rs 1 lakh.

Many of these unrecognised schools have names sounding almost similar to well known schools but they lack no objection certificates (NOCs) from the state government. The government has to conduct scrutiny whether certificates were issued or not. In the process, the department also checks parameters such as constitution, government recognition, affiliation, and syllabus.

Norms for recognition

All schools must comply with ten infrastructure norms such as provision of compound wall, toilets, drinking water facilities, playground, library, and spacious and ventilated classrooms. Schools have to apply for extension of recognition every three years. Following implementation of the RTE Act, recognition is renewed only if schools have complied with these ten norms.

Recognition process

Documentation of affiliation including NOCs from the education department, and other statutory approvals is a must. Approval from local municipal authorities, the education department and health department is also necessary.