Karnataka to form house panel to ease private school recognition rules

The Karnataka government announced that it would constitute a House committee to look into and recommend relaxations in the rules for initial recognition and renewal for private aided and unaided schools. School Education and Literacy Minister S Madhu Bangarappa agreed for it following demands by members from the Treasury and Opposition benches in the Legislative Council.

Formation of House Panel

The Minister, Bangarappa, said that the House committee would discuss at length the prevailing rules and problems related to the issues of renewal. "The committee shall go through the rules and suggest amendments to loosen the noose that has been choking private institutions in the matter of recognition and its renewal," he said.

The initiative assumes urgency in the backdrop of allegations of corruption in the department, especially relating to the renewal of school recognitions. Bangarappa said measures would be taken to ensure that private schools faced no inconvenience till the recommendations of the committee were implemented. "No private institution should face difficulties during this transitional period," he said.

Addressing Issues of Corruption

In the backdrop of continued complaints of corruption, Bangarappa ensured that harsh action would be started against those officials who were proved to have demanded bribes for renewing recognition of schools. "We will not tolerate corruption in any form," he promised, adding that disciplinary action will be initiated against those personnel who are found involved. Though initiatives have been made to computerize the renewal work, the Minister said, there are some challenges which need to be overcome before completely engaging in the transformation.

The decision to constitute the House panel is in line with the stand taken by the Legislative Council, which wanted recognition to private schools given out in a more transparent and streamlined manner. The members of the Council were vocal about the fact that the rules existed in a cumbersome form and needed to be relaxed so as to smoothen the operations for educational institutions.

What's Next? 

Hence, the House committee will be constituted immediately to study the situation and seek the views of stakeholders involved in the education sector. Whatever recommendations the committee comes up with, assured the Minister, would be implemented without delay to streamline the process of recognition for private schools in Karnataka. This move promises to overcome the complexity private educational institutions have been facing in the state, thus creating a better environment for their operation and growth. As stakeholders, they were hopeful the change would have a positive effect on schools and students when the committee embarks on its review.