Notice to Orchids to close illegal sections worries parents

The notice issued by the Department of Public Instruction to close down the illegally functioning classes at Orchids The International school, Jalahalli, has put the parents on tenterhooks.

It was found that the school was running its pre-primary section and classes 6, 7 illegally.  
Priya Ravichandran, whose child studies in class 6, said, “We are really confused about the future of our children. Neither the management nor the Education department has given us any information. A number of us are discussing on our next course of action,” she said. Even as parents like Priya face uncertainty, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has promised to help the parents.

H M Raju, BEO, North-2, said that the department had identified at least seven schools in a radius of one kilometre of the Orchids to accommodate the students.

“However, the only problem is the tuition fees. Some parents have paid the fee for the whole academic year. We will have to decide our stance on this issue” he said.

Mohammed Mohsin, Commissioner for Public Instruction, said: “A lenient policy helps only the managements of such schools. We are taking long-term steps to ensure that other students no longer have to deal with such a problem. The BEO and DDPI will make all the arrangements to help the students,” he said.

The parents, on their part have their worries. “If it is a good school, then I will consider. We will, however, have to discuss with other parents,” said Priya.

Presently, there are 133 students in nursery, 219 students in UKG and 197 students in LKG. In the higher primary section, there are 19 students in class 6 and nine students in class 7.