22 illegal schools shut down in education department action

Education inspectors have started cracking down on illegal and unauthorised schools in the city, with the education department of the BMC closing down 22 of the 210 unauthorised private schools for the academic year 2023-24. Authorities have accommodated close to 1,500 affected students to nearby schools.

One school has applied for self-financed status. The number of unauthorised schools in Mumbai now stands at 187.

Following an annual survey conducted by the BMC education department during the 2022-23 academic year. The survey revealed that 269 schools offering classes from I to IV were unauthorised. Out of these, 62 schools were closed down, while 13 schools managed to obtain government permission to operate as private, self-financed schools. This brought the number to 194.

Efforts to minimise suffering

Efforts were made to minimise academic disruption for students attending the closed schools. Around 1,500 students were accommodated and transferred to nearby schools after counselling their parents, who were unaware of the unauthorised status of their children's schools. However, during the crackdown on the remaining 194 unauthorised schools, an additional 16 schools were identified and added to the list in the year 2023-24, bringing the total number of unauthorised schools to 210. Approximately 30,000 students are enrolled in these 210 schools.

The deputy director of school education (Mumbai) instructed to close down unauthorised schools by April 30

The newly identified unauthorised schools were given until June to obtain the necessary permission from the state government; otherwise, they would face closure.
In January of this year, the director of education (secondary and higher secondary schools) issued an order to subordinates, stating that there should be no unauthorised schools in the state by the next academic year. In line with this directive, the deputy director of school education (Mumbai) issued a notification on April 25, instructing education officials to close down such schools by April 30 and submit a report. mid-day reported on the issue on April 28.

The state education department also warned that action must be taken against the unrecognised schools, or face consequences. As a result, the BMC education department promptly took action, closing down 22 schools and ensuring the smooth transition of hundreds of affected students to nearby schools at the start of the new academic year.

Seeks self-finance

Meanwhile, one school, Nutan Vidyamandir in Goregaon, has applied for self-financed status. Raju Tadvi, BMC education office, stated, "We have closed down 22 schools so far, while one has applied to the state government to obtain self-financed status. This does not mean the action against unauthorised schools is over. It is a process that follows stipulated rules. Moreover, we have to consider the well-being of students studying in these schools and find suitable accommodations for them.

The management of these schools must be given a fair hearing. Boards declaring these schools unauthorised have been displayed outside the premises to alert and warn parents. Action will be taken against schools that disregard rules and ignore notices from the education department."

Of the 22 schools that closed down this academic year, the majority - eight schools - are located in the M East ward (Chembur, Govandi, Deonar, and Mankhurd).

Additionally, four schools were closed in the L ward (Kurla, Chandivali, and Asalpha), three in the P North ward (Malad), two in the S ward (Bhandup), and one each in the F North ward (Antop hill, Wadala), F South ward (Sewri), P South ward (Goregaon), R Central ward (Borivali), and N ward (Vikhroli).

TMC shuts down 2

In Thane, the education department of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) shut down two out of the 47 unauthorised schools. Balasaheb Rakshe, education officer of TMC, explained that action is being taken against all 47 schools in phases and in accordance with the stipulated rules under Section 18 (5) of the Right to Education Act, 2009. Section 18 (5) of the Act states that anyone establishing or running a school without obtaining a certificate of recognition or continuing to operate a school after recognition withdrawal is liable to a fine of up to R1 lakh. In case of continued contraventions, a fine of R10,000 per day may be imposed.

Rakshe stated, "Four schools are now out of the list. Two schools, both located in the Kausa area of Mumbra, have been closed down, while two others - one in Daighar and another in Kausa - have applied for self-financed status. For the remaining schools, we have already displayed boards outside, declaring them unauthorised and alerting parents. Notices have also been issued to these schools under Section 18 (5) of the Act. A one-time fine of R1 lakh has already been imposed, and an additional fine of R10,000 per day has been levied for the days the schools remained open after receiving the notice."

The repeat offenders

Abdul Mannan Abdul Rashid Kazi, an activist and complainant, expressed concern that these illegal schools continue to operate without consequences. Kazi stated, "The education department should have shut down or at least restricted these schools until the hearings. However, with the new academic year, these schools have taken in new admissions and reopened. We have even met with the DMC education and Municipal Commissioner to voice our complaints, but no action has been taken thus far. These schools are repeat offenders and receive notices every year. Why not shut them down or file a police complaint against the management?"

210
Total no. of unauthorised schools before crackdown