Rashmi Belur By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: In view of the dwindling student strength in government schools, the state government is planning to check the mushrooming of private schools. It may not give permission to set up new private schools in the state for at least the next three years. Over 2,429 applications to set up new schools by private managements are pending before the department of primary and secondary education for the current academic year. And, according to sources in the department, these are unlikely to get the official nod.

“Due to RTE, the number of students in government schools has come down. Under RTE, 25 % seats at private schools are given to students from economically weaker backgrounds. Increasing number of private schools within a 5-km radius of government schools is also a threat,” said a senior official of the department. “The department is therefore thinking of freezing permission for opening of new private schools. A final decision is yet to be taken,” the official added.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister N Mahesh said, “We are thinking of streamlining the private schools and keeping a check on their number. We need to think before granting permission for new schools. The department has set up 176 model public schools which are on par with private schools. There is a need to increase quality in government schools instead of allowing to set up new private schools.”

Earlier, the then primary and secondary education minister Tanveer Sait had also announced that no new school will be given permissions for next five years. But, following pressure by private school managements, the minister had taken a U-turn.

More applications from Bengaluru

This year, over 2,429 applications seeking permission for new schools are pending before the government. The highest of 369 applications came from Bengaluru South district while 216 applications were received from Bengaluru North.

Need to regulate school fee: Minister

N Mahesh has said that he will stick to the state government’s recent order on fee regulation. “There is a need to regulate the school fee legally and I am aware of the government’s order on fee regulation. Everyone has to follow the rules.”