Bengaluru: Over 900 schools in the city are under scrutiny for running classes without permission. These schools were identified over the last one-and-a-half months by the three-member committees formed by the Department of Public Instruction.
Sources in the department said that many top chains are in the list of 932 schools blacklisted by the department. Criminal cases are likely to registered against them. The list does not include schools that have violated the language policy, the sources said.
A majority have reportedly not obtained permission for running pre-primary classes, which became mandatory after 2009. Other violations include unauthorised schools, falsely claiming to have central board affiliations and running certain classes without permission.
The committees were formed after a three-year-old was allegedly raped in a school in Jalahalli, which was running pre-primary classes, and classes six and seven without permission. A criminal case was filed by the department against the school for cheating. So far, the department has filed criminal complaints against three schools after violations came to light.
Eighty-one unauthorised schools were identified by the department in the beginning of the year. Only some were closed.
Mulla Halli Suri, president of Parents’ Association, said all schools must be penalised and criminal cases filed against them. While stating that the department should not yield to pressure from private school managements, he said, “However, in students’ interest, the department should allow schools to function for the reminder of the academic year.”
Department officials said that the number of schools may increase marginally and the list will be finalised in a day or two.
Minister says
Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar, who had not received the list, said a meeting would be convened after the winter session of the legislature to discuss action to be initiated against the schools.
