‘Illegal schools must shut shop’

NEWDELHI: The Delhi government has ordered private schools functioning without its recognition to discontinue all educational activities from the next academic session.

The directorate of education (DOE) said it had come to its notice that many unrecognised private schools were functioning without obtaining the mandatory certificate of recognition from an appropriate authority, which is in violation of the Right to Education Act.

A circular issued by Saumya Gupta, director, DOE, said, “All the societies/trusts/agencies/ organisations or individuals running unrecognised schools up to elementary, primary, secondary, and senior secondary are directed to discontinue the educational activities from the academic session 2018-19 failing which action will be initiated against them.

According to section 18(1) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, ‘no school, other than a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate government or local authority should be established or function without obtaining a certificate of recognition from such an authority’.

“The act provides for imposition of a fine that may extend to 1 lakh rupees and in case of continuing contraventions, to a fine of Rs 10,000 for each day during which such contravention continues,” the circular said.

Gupta said the government does not have a definite figure about the number of such schools. “We asked deputy directors (education) in each department to do a survey in March third week to identify such school,” she said.

There are about 1,700 private unaided recognised schools in the city and 1,100 government schools.

The government advised residents of Delhi to get their wards admitted only in schools run or recognised by either the DOE or any other local authorities such as municipal councils.

“Admission in unrecognised schools may jeopardise the academic future of the children,” the circular said.