The Karnataka High Court on Friday came down heavily on some of the schools which did not even provide the basic infrastructure facilities such as class rooms to the students. Justice Ram Mohan Reddy while hearing a petition questioned the school authorities saying-  “are you running the school for children or sheep?

The court was hearing a petition by a school at Kengeri satellite town, Bangalore, which had been derecognised. It had stated that the government had issued a no objection certificate (NoC) in respect of the school to impart education under the ICSE syllabus. However, the norm mandates that after obtaining an NoC, the school would have to await permission from the Union government.

It was stated that the prior to obtaining permission, the school had admitted students and during an inspection was found that the school was imparting education to students in class 1 to 4 in a single classroom.

Justice Reddy observed: “It is unbelievable that the management runs such a school under the very nose of the authorities. Are they children or sheep?” Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned.

Appeal by schools
A Division Bench which is seized of the appeal challenging the voluntary scheme of the government will hear the matter on Monday.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice B S Patil before whom the matter came up on Friday said that they would hear all appeals on Monday.

Around 1,011 schools had challenged the voluntary scheme of the government which had made it optional to the  derecognised schools to pay fine and obtain recognition.