Over 2,500 unrecognised schools will be shut down
16 Feb 2013 12:48 AM GMT
Over 2,500 private unrecognised schools in Delhi are to be shut down and as many as five lakh students would be out of schools by 1 April 2013, for not following the 2021 Master plan Delhi. Under the plan, every school should have 800 sq m land for better accommodation and cognitive ambiance for students.
These private schools were required to take recognition within three years of the implementation of Right To Education Act 2009. The recognition will be granted after fulfillment of land norm requirements, as stipulated by the RTE legislation, which links it to the Masterplan Delhi (MPD)-2021.
According to MPD 2021, land norms required for primary schools is 800 sq m per 5,000 people. But sources said that before 2002, there were no land norms for primary schools and recognition was granted on plots of less than 200 yards.
Mahendra Nagpal, Leader of House, North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, said, ‘There is an acute shortage of land in Delhi. Therefore, fulfilling the land norms is not possible for these schools. In the last 10 years, the Directorate of Education and MCD have merged and closed 56 and 216 schools. respectively.’
The apex association of unrecognised schools, Delhi State Public Schools Association, wrote to the authorities many times, urging relaxation in land norms, but in vain. If these schools are closed, there is no alternative for many children. After this fall out, admission will become three times more difficult and corruption, capitation and donation will see quantum jump, which will once again impact poorer parents the most.’
On the other hand, Amit Singla, Director of Education, Delhi government, said, ‘One and a half month is left and we are still collecting data for the unauthorised schools. We did not close any of these schools. Rather, we only separated the shifts for boys and girls in the evening and morning.’
WILL BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE BUSES TO DELHI SCHOOLS: ASSOCIATION
Hundreds of schools in the city may find it difficult to arrange transportation of their students as a major bus association today decided not to provide their vehicles to schools from next month. The Delhi Contract Carriage Association said they will not be able to provide buses as guidelines specified by the government for school buses are extremely strict and they will not be able to meet them. “We will not be able to provide buses to the schools from next month as we will not be able to comply with the norms,” General Secretary of the Association, Harish Sabharwal said.
Last month, the Delhi government had issued fresh guidelines – which will come in force from next month – for plying school buses to ensure safety of students.
Bus operators affiliated to Delhi Contract Carriage Association have a total of around 2,700 buses.
As per the guidelines, only drivers having five years of experience will be allowed to drive school buses and vans. Any driver who is challaned more than twice in a calendar year on account of certain violations like overtaking, jumping of red light and violating parking regulations will not be allowed to drive school buses.
As per the guidelines, drivers will have to wear a uniform and they must display their identity card visibly while driving the vehicles. The name of the owner of the vehicle must also figure in the card.
These private schools were required to take recognition within three years of the implementation of Right To Education Act 2009. The recognition will be granted after fulfillment of land norm requirements, as stipulated by the RTE legislation, which links it to the Masterplan Delhi (MPD)-2021.
According to MPD 2021, land norms required for primary schools is 800 sq m per 5,000 people. But sources said that before 2002, there were no land norms for primary schools and recognition was granted on plots of less than 200 yards.
Mahendra Nagpal, Leader of House, North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, said, ‘There is an acute shortage of land in Delhi. Therefore, fulfilling the land norms is not possible for these schools. In the last 10 years, the Directorate of Education and MCD have merged and closed 56 and 216 schools. respectively.’
The apex association of unrecognised schools, Delhi State Public Schools Association, wrote to the authorities many times, urging relaxation in land norms, but in vain. If these schools are closed, there is no alternative for many children. After this fall out, admission will become three times more difficult and corruption, capitation and donation will see quantum jump, which will once again impact poorer parents the most.’
On the other hand, Amit Singla, Director of Education, Delhi government, said, ‘One and a half month is left and we are still collecting data for the unauthorised schools. We did not close any of these schools. Rather, we only separated the shifts for boys and girls in the evening and morning.’
WILL BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE BUSES TO DELHI SCHOOLS: ASSOCIATION
Hundreds of schools in the city may find it difficult to arrange transportation of their students as a major bus association today decided not to provide their vehicles to schools from next month. The Delhi Contract Carriage Association said they will not be able to provide buses as guidelines specified by the government for school buses are extremely strict and they will not be able to meet them. “We will not be able to provide buses to the schools from next month as we will not be able to comply with the norms,” General Secretary of the Association, Harish Sabharwal said.
Last month, the Delhi government had issued fresh guidelines – which will come in force from next month – for plying school buses to ensure safety of students.
Bus operators affiliated to Delhi Contract Carriage Association have a total of around 2,700 buses.
As per the guidelines, only drivers having five years of experience will be allowed to drive school buses and vans. Any driver who is challaned more than twice in a calendar year on account of certain violations like overtaking, jumping of red light and violating parking regulations will not be allowed to drive school buses.
As per the guidelines, drivers will have to wear a uniform and they must display their identity card visibly while driving the vehicles. The name of the owner of the vehicle must also figure in the card.
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