Pune: 11 Illegal Schools Shut Down in PCMC; 06 Get Official Approval
In a significant move to regulate educational institutions, 11 out of 22 unauthorised schools operating in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) area have been shut down, while six have received official approval, and five have been issued letters of intent. This announcement was made by Maharashtra School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse during the state legislature session.
The issue of unauthorised schools across Maharashtra was raised as a starred question in the session. Minister Bhuse revealed that, as per the Education Commissioner’s letter dated July 18, 2023, a total of 661 unauthorised schools were operating in the state. Over the past two years, 117 such schools have been closed as part of a special drive conducted by the state government.
In Thane district alone, 88 unauthorised schools — 64 primary and 24 secondary — were identified. Legal action has been initiated against 41 of these schools, with education officers overseeing their closure. In Latur district, fines have been imposed on unauthorised schools in accordance with regulations.
Minister Bhuse clarified that periodic instructions have been issued to take action against unauthorised schools. Schools established before 2013, which comply with the provisions of the 2010 Government Resolution (GR) and the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools Act, 2012, are being inspected, and proposals are being prepared to grant them approval. For schools set up after 2013, action is being taken based on their adherence to relevant laws.
Schools failing to meet the necessary criteria are being shut down, and students are being accommodated in nearby schools to ensure continuity in their education.
