District Education Department has taken action against unrecognised private schools, closed down 87 private schools from March 2017 spread across various areas in the district, on Friday.
A team of department headed by District Education Department conducted survey across the district. The team had identified about 177 private schools running in the district. Out of which 33 schools are recognised. Forty schools are under scanner while application of 57 schools have been relived for recognisition. No application have been received from 87 private schools which I have issued order to close down, DSE Brajmohan Kumar said.
On what would happen to the students of the schools that have been unrecognised, he told The Pioneer that the schools have been unrecognised as they have not complied with prescribed norms such as not having a playground, not obtaining the structural clearance certificate and for not installing the mandated fire fighting system.
But not having recognition does not mean that they are illegal. What they can now do is to comply with the norms and get recognised and start the schools, said DSE.
According to the DSE, not complying with the norms and continuing the schools in the unrecognised format is a criminal negligence on part of the school management and the authorities concerned will be viewing it seriously.
The DSE said students who were studying in the private schools that were closed down can opt for nearest Government schools, but this had put many of the parents in confusion.
Most of the Government schools are in a bad shape.
They lack basic infrastructure such as toilets, benches and even proper black boards. “This cannot be an option, without developing the schools. The authorities concerned should take strict action against the management of the schools, as they have fooled us,” said a parent.