Karnataka government makes registration of all private schools under RTE Act mandatory

The State government has ordered all private schools, including State, Central, and other board curriculum, operating in Karnataka to register under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009, as per the rules framed in 2012.

The State government has ordered all private schools, including State, Central, and other board curriculum, operating in Karnataka to register under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act-2009, as per the rules framed in 2012.

The Commissioner of Public Instruction has issued a circular in this regard, and has warned officials that if there is a school registered under the State/Central curriculum within their jurisdiction, but the affiliation under the RTE Act is not renewed, they will be held responsible.

Under the RTE Act, it is mandatory for all private unaided schools of all curricula to meet the criteria set by the policy for affiliation of the State. The period of such affiliation is five years. If any school violates the norms or provisions of the Act, the affiliation of such school can be revoked.

Strict action can be taken if the school continues to run without getting recognition or renewing the recognition or continues to run the school even after the recognition has been withdrawn.

Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs) are competent authorities to grant the recognition and action has been taken against schools violating the rules.

In addition, the Commissioner directed the DDPIs to publish the list of recognised schools to be made available to the public.

In a recent order, the High Court of Karnataka has also said that even boarding schools should also compulsorily register under the RTE Act.