Karnataka: Education department cancels recognition of 3 schools of Gokula Vidyasamsthe

Malavalli (Mandya dist): Following the death of two Meghalaya students and illness of 40 students of Gokula Vidyasamsthe of T Kagepura, Malavalli taluk, after allegedly consuming stale food, the Department of School Education and Literacy has cancelled the recognition of three schools of the Vidyasamsthe, in Malavalli taluk, Mandya district.

H Shivaramegowda, Deputy Director, Department of School Education and Literacy, has issued an order, dated 08-05-2025, withdrawing the recognition of three schools of the Vidyasamsthe, including the T Kagepura school, citing violation of norms.

The schools that have lost their recognition are T Kagepura Gokula Public School (English medium); Gokula Higher Primary School (Kannada medium) and Kirugavalu Gokula Higher Primary School.

It may be mentioned that the students of Gokula Vidyasamsthe at T Kagepura, in Malavalli, were served food distributed by a businessman, as part of Holi celebrations, on March 16. Two Meghalaya students Krishen Lyang (13) and Namib Manthe (14) succumbed while several students fell ill and were hospitalised.

Citing violation of the department norms, under Karnataka Education Act 1983/39, the recognition of the Vidyasamsthe’s three schools in T Kagepura and Kirugavalu have been withdrawn. Under the Act, the competent authority can withdraw recognition for various reasons, including non-compliance with recognition conditions, failure to comply with competent authority orders and instances where the institution violates the Act, rules or orders.

Besides, the DD has directed Block Education Officer V E Uma to make alternative arrangements for the admission of the students studying in these schools for this academic year.

According to sources, in the year 2024-25, 126 students were admitted to the Gokula Higher Primary School in Kirugavalu and 202 students at Gokula Higher Primary School (Kannada medium) and 15 students were admitted to Gokula Public School (English medium) at T Kagepura.

Out of this, more than 24 students from Meghalaya were provided residential education illegally at T Kagepura Vidyasamsthe. They were illegally conducting classes up to SSLC, without necessary permission, it is alleged.