Nagpur, Maharashtra: About 37 schools in city of Nagpur, Maharashtra are under the education department scanner for being 'unrecognized'.
Under the RTE Act, every school needs to be recognised by the state education department. Any school not having the official recognition, also known as the no-objection certificate (NOC), is an illegal entity and must be shut down.
Lalit Ramteke, Education officer (primary) for the district said, "Notices have been issued to all the 37 schools for closure." "Off hand I do not know the dates as I am not in the office now, but can provide it later," said Ramteke whose recent action against a city school is raising many questions.
The primary education department is the authority for implementing RTE and its various norms. The education officer heading the department gives NOCs to all schools which have to be renewed every three years. The NOC is basically a way to ensure that quality infrastructure and basic amenities, as mandated by RTE, is present in the school.
Also, before starting a new school, permission is mandatory from the education department even if the school intends to follow a different board. The education department has also learnt that many schools are advertising themselves as CBSE schools even though they do not have any affiliation. Sources say soon a special drive will be started to ensure that these schools comply with all norms.