The Karnataka government on Friday, August 11, did a U-turn a day after it ordered the closure of unauthorised private schools by August 14.
“In the interest of students, we will defer this order and will initiate the action in a phased manner,” said Madhu Bangarappa, Minister for the Department of School Education and Literacy.
The Commissioner for Public Instruction B.B. Cauvery had issued a circular fixing a timeline for closure of unauthorised schools following the report sought from the Chief Minister’s office.
Addressing the media after meeting the representatives of private school management, he said, “The department has identified around 1,695 unauthorised across the state. Many schools are running illegally without affiliation with either State or Central board. Around 620 schools have additional sections without the permission of the department. Other schools have violations such as upgrading classes without affiliation, offering other board education despite having the permission to offer only state board curriculum, and illegally offering English medium.”
“But these schools have already enrolled students. If we take immediate action on those schools, children’s education will be affected. We have decided to take action in a phased manner,” he added.
“The schools which are in the unauthorised list will be given another chance to rectify. We have already conducted a meeting with the State Fire and Emergency Services department about providing fire safety certificate, particularly for private schools. By giving some more time, we will reduce the number of schools from the unauthorised list,” he further said.
If any unauthorised schools have come up recently, they will not be entertained and officials concerned will be held responsible, he said.
