Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 23: Under the nose of authorities concerned, at least two unrecognized schools are functioning from residential buildings in Satwari zone.
An RTI application filed by advocate Kovid Khosla, counsel for an applicant on April 21, 2016 sought status of unrecognized schools functioning in Satwari zone.
In his reply, the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) revealed that there are atleast two schools functioning without proper recognition. One of them is running from a residential building, violating the Education Act.
However, the RTI activist filed application to ZEO Satwari on July 25, seeking details of action against the unrecognized schools.
"The ZEO instead of responding forwarded the information provided by one of the illegally operating schools," said the RTI activist. He said in the information provided by the school it was mentioned that they have applied for the recognition on August 23 before CEO Jammu.
Meanwhile, in its defence, the principal of one of the unrecognized schools, wrote, "I, principal of Heliotrope Budding Stars, suddenly came to know about the recognition process…Recognition is under process…I sincerely apologize on the ignorance of the information about recognition." RTI activist said it is evident that the CEO Jammu and ZEO Satwari have not conducted the mandatory inspections in these schools.
According to ZEO Satwari, Heliotrope Budding Stars, Karan Bagh, Gadhi Garh, Jammu and Bashar Model School, Gasitpur near Thalwal Mandal had been functioning without proper recognition and had been violating Section 11 of J&K School Education Act 2002, which states that no private school to be established or run without permission. The violation of the law merits penalties. |
