50 unrecognised schools got cheap government land

After getting subsidised plots they break deal with Delhi govt and flout DoE guidelines

The Capital's education directorate appears to be looking the other way while nearly 50 private schools which are built on subsidised government land continue to function as unrecognised institutes.

According to Directorate of Education (DoE) guidelines, schools which were given land at lower rates need to get the `recognised' tag from the government within three years – or they would be shut down.

But experts says the unrecognised schools are violating this rule as well as admission guidelines. Several complaints about violations have been filed against them over the last two years but DoE argues they cannot take action against unrecognised schools.

These schools include G D  Goenka in Model Town, Presidium in Pitampura and The Sovereign, Adriel High and Venkateshwar Global School in Rohini. They were given land by Delhi Development Authority after getting an Essentiality Certificate (EC) from  DoE.
 An affidavit was also submitted by these schools stating that the authorities will comply with DoE norms and notifications and apply for recognition within three years  after getting the EC. 

“In case of failure of being recognised these schools can be sealed. We had filed a petition which highlighted this issue in the court and Justice Endlaw had said that all schools, whether recognised or not, built on government land will abide by all DoE norms. The DoE has full authority to take action against these schools,” said Khagesh Jha, Supreme Court lawyer and president of Justice for All group. 

He added the schools were admitting children without informing parents about their status.

All unaided schools on government land are also under contractual liability to provide a certain percentage of seats to the Economically Weaker Section category, but most of them don't admit a single student under that quota.

A complaint was submitted to Delhi District Education (north west) about such schools and after repeated requests, a show cause notice was sent to one school, De Indian School in Rohini. But no action was taken.

A complaint was also sent to Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights which forwarded it to DoE for inquiry. Again,  no action was taken.

“We have been sending several reminders to the director's office. If they do not respond and take appropriate action we will be forced to take this to court. Schools will be sealed thereafter,” said M M Vidyarthi, member DCPCR.

DOE officials refused to comment beyond saying, “We cannot do anything because the schools are unrecognised.”