BANGALORE: Commissioner for Public Instruction Tushar Girinath has ruled out levying penalty on schools that have already started admissions despite an official circular from the Dept of Public Instruction stating that admissions for classes one to twelve in private schools have to start from May.
“There is no question of reversing admissions in schools that have started the process of admissions. Levying a fine or penalty on schools is the prerogative of the respective district committees. There may be a penalty if the admissions do not comply with the notified rules,” Girinath said.
He added that the department had made a calendar of events to ensure transparency in school admissions. “We write to the concerned district authorities every year about how admissions should be done in schools. This time, the department has prescribed a calendar for schools to follow. Adherence of schools to follow this calendar has to be checked by the district committees,” he said.
The District Committee comprises of the district commissioner, Block Education Officer (BEO) and Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI).
He stated that the decision to get the calendar of events notified in the media was to raise awareness about admissions.
“Admissions were being done in a haphazard manner, with the public ill-informed about the process and the respective district committees not checking on schools effectively. That is why we went to the press to get the calendar published,” he said.
On January 13, the department issued a calendar of events regarding admissions to be followed by private schools. It states that the issue of application forms should commence from April 20 and end on April 30. The last date for accepting applications is April 30. The list of eligible students, and those who have been rejected, have to be issued on May 3.