Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

As many as 3,200 private schools in Haryana are on the verge of closure with the fate of nearly 10 lakh children enrolled in these schools hanging in balance, as the state’s Education Department is yet to extend the schools’ temporary recognition.

These schools have been awaiting permanent recognition from the government, although these have been in operation for decades. This is due to some deficiencies in buildings and other norms specified by the government.

Till now, the department had been issuing temporary recognition every year to these schools, but this time, their latest recognition, which expired on March 31, has not been renewed.

“Till we get recognition, we cannot apply to the Haryana School Education Board for affiliation. The last date for filing for affiliation from the board is July 6. We can, however, apply for it by paying a late fee of Rs 5,000 for the next 10 days. Our option will cease after that, endangering the future of lakhs of children,” said a school owner.

Till last year, temporary recognition was provided by deputy commissioners in the district. This year, the responsibility of providing recognition was taken away from deputy commissioners and committees were formed under the district education officers (DEOs) and district elementary education officers (DEEOs). However, the committees have failed to come up with their reports so far.

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the National Independent School Association (NISA), claimed that the BJP government had promised permanent recognition to such schools after coming to power.

“The building and other norms of the government are grossly impractical. We have been demanding that the government should relax the norms and provide permanent recognition to all schools so that the hassle of applying temporary recognition every year comes to an end,” he said.

Sources said out of 3,200 private schools awaiting recognition, 2,161 provided high and senior secondary education. The rest 1,039 are middle schools.

As per the government norms, private schools up to Class X should have a land of 2,000 square meters in case of a single floor and 1,500 sq m for a double-storeyed building.

For senior secondary schools providing arts and commerce streams, the land requirement is 3,000 sq m for single-storeyed building and 2,250 sq m for the double-storeyed one. For senior secondary schools with the science stream, the requirement is 4,000 sq m and 3000 sq m for single and double story, respectively.

Besides, high schools need to have a minimum of 16 rooms. The senior secondary schools providing arts and commerce education should have 18 rooms, while those with the science stream should have 22 rooms.

Rajiv Rattan, Director, School Education, Haryana, said the department had sought reports from the DEOs regarding these schools, but these reports were awaited.

“The moment we receive the reports, we will take decision on the recognition and the schools will be provided time to apply for affiliation with the Board,” he added.