Delhi government to close 300 private schools for not meeting norms

The Delhi government has chalked out a plan to close around 300 private schools in Delhi which are running without recognition. The schools will be closed as they fail to meet the minimum land requirement and quality standards prescribed under the Right to Education Act.

If any school does not fulfill the norms and standards specified under the Act, it shall take steps to fulfill the same within a period of three years.

"The Delhi High Court had in May this year directed DoE, civic-bodies and DDA to ensure immediate closure or shifting of those unrecognised schools which are housed in any premises that may pose a threat to the safety of the children studying therein," a senior Directorate of Education (DoE) official told reporters.

"DOE has already given provisional recognition to about 800 unrecognised schools but still about 300 schools are running unrecognised, for the fact that these schools do not meet the minimum land requirement. The file for closure of these schools is under process," an official added.

The government had already issued a circular earlier this month asking all provisionally recognised and unrecognised schools to submit 'Structural Stability record/certificate' of the building in which they are housed. Failing to submit the certificates would be presumed they do have any such document/record and further action for closure of such school shall be started without further notice.

The Section 18 of Right To Education (RTE) Act has a provision that no school can be established without obtaining certificate from the appropriate authority.

According to the Act, if any school does not fulfill the norms and standards specified under the Act, it shall take steps to fulfill the same within a period of three years.

DoE has also issued a district-wise list of unrecognised schools and those whose cases for provisional recognition have been turned down by it.