Recognition for pvt schools: Govt told to file counter

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court directed the State government to file its counter on a petition challenging the School Education Department’s recent order mandating renewal of recognition given to private schools periodically.

Hearing a plea by the All India Private Educational Institutions’ Association represented by its general secretary K Palaniyappan, Justice M Dhandapani directed the government to submit its response in two weeks.

The petitioner sought a direction to quash a Government Order dated November 12 withdrawing the earlier order passed on September 2, 1994, issuing permanent recognitions to private schools.

“As per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 1973, and the Rules framed there under, there is no such provision which can be invoked for restricting the recognition to certain [number of] years. In Tamil Nadu, temporary recognition is granted with a rider that it should be renewed each and every year. Such a stand is arbitrary, unreasonable and unconstitutional action,” the petitioner submitted.

Contending that the government could always inspect the institutions in case of any complaint, or even periodically, and take appropriate action invoking Section 12 of the Act if any issues were found, the general secretary sought permanent recognition for private institutions.

Recording submissions, the court directed the School Education Department Secretary, and Directors of School Education and Elementary Education to file their counter within two weeks.