All private schools will have to seek fresh recognition

A standard proforma is being drafted for the schools on the basis of which they have to apply for recognition. This comprehensive self-certification proforma would include all academic as well as administrative aspects of the school.

The schools have to reveal the number of teachers,their salary structure,qualification,fire safety norms,building by-laws and students admitted under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservations norm for fresh recognition.

“Not only would schools be required to apply for fresh recognition,for the first time schools violating the norms would be penalised. At present,their recognition is withdrawn but with the notification of this rule,after applying for fresh recognition,they would be imposed with fine of Rs 1 lakh for the first violation and Rs 10,000 for each day for further violations,” revealed Secretary (Education) Ram Niwas.

According to senior UT Education Department officials,this move is being considering with the aim of ending the ongoing tussle between UT Administration and private schools on the question of recognition. Schools whose recognition was recently cancelled had been charging the administration with following a pick-and-choose policy.

The implementation of this new rule would be effective irrespective of the academic session. “The stipulated time period for application has been fixed at 15 days,though sufficient time would be given to the schools to rectify their violations,” the Secretary added.

With the notification of this rule,those schools whose cases have been under process since 2005 have to apply for fresh recognition. According to the records maintained by the UT Education Department,the recognition of more than 42 per cent private schools are still pending.

Out of these,while some cases have been under process for more than five years,there are many which have not yet applied for extension of recognition.

Despite the Administration giving schools the option of being granted recognition by complying with the norm of 15 per cent reservation for EWS,the number of schools without recognition has remained almost the same.