MP Gopal Shetty

MKVV International Vidyalaya

CBSE

state education minister Vinod Tawde

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar

Sheth Gopalji Hemraj High School

Elphinstone station tragedy

Edu minister Vinod Tawde,reportedly wrote to Javadekar.In the ongoing dispute between the trustees of— which was recently de-affiliated by the— and the students’ parents, the latter are now alleging that an earlier notice issued to the Borivali West school by the central board for purported irregularities was withdrawn under political pressure.The parents claimed thatand MP Gopal Shetty wrote letters toto “look into” the showcause notice issued by the CBSE to the school on October 25, 2016. Consequently, the notice, the guardians alleged, was withdrawn. Mirror is in possession of the letters.The parents have dragged the school’s trust to Bombay High Court over its decision to relocate over 2,500 students to another school in Borivali East in the middle of the academic year as it wanted to redevelop the crumbling building. “The CBSE issued a showcause notice to the school management on October 25, 2016, after an inspection bared several irregularities. The notice said that the authorities had no regard for infrastructure, safety and sanitation,” said Pragnesh Gopani, a parent.He added that after the notice, Shetty and Tawde wrote to Javadekar, urging him to “help out” the chairman of the school. The letters also said that as the 22-year-old school structure was dilapidated and that the students can be shifted 3 km away toin Borivali East.“Following the political intervention, the notice was withdrawn. Then on July 5, 2017, the school issued a circular saying that they were shifting the students. After we filed a case against the school on August 11, the CBSE ordered its de-affiliation on September 9,” said Gopani.Education activist Sachin Pawar claimed that Sheth Gopalji Hemraj High School has no occupation certificate.Shetty said, “The school building is dilapidated and the government agency has certified that it needs to be repaired. In the interest of the students, it was my duty to take up the issue. I don’t want a rerun of the. As for de-affiliation, the parents and school authorities can approach me, I will resolve the matter.”Tawde could not be reached for comments despite several attempts.Jayesh Valia, trustee of MKVV International Vidyalaya, said, “The matter is sub judice as the parents have filed a petition in the High Court. I don’t want to comment on this.”