The 473 non affiliated private schools, which were evading fulfillment of RTE Act norms, have been shut down by the Punjab Government. These schools which yet not implemented to the provisions of Right to Education Act-2009 have been asked to wind up their functioning immediately. It was disclosed by Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education and Language Minister Punjab. He said the Punjab Government has been sympathetic towards these educations institutions for long and they have time and again requested to adhere to the Right to Education Act, but these private schools were in denial mode to implement the RTE in their institutions. He said that these schools were bound to get affiliations under the RTE Act 2009 norms for free and compulsory education. He said that this circumstance forced the state government to take strict and bold action against all these money making institutions.
The minister further said that nearly 37813 affected students of these schools could get admissions in the Government schools; the admissions for which is still continuing the minister assured support to these school children. He said that these private schools have been given the time uptill 31 March to fulfill all the norms. He said that the schools which yet not fulfill the required norms have been shut down. Education minister said that a fine of Rs one Lakh would be imposed on the schools which disobey the government order and still continuing their activities. After this these schools would be fined Rs ten thousands per day for non compliance.Mr. Maluka said that only 1935 schools filled the self declaration form to get the affiliation out of total 9301 schools upto January 2012. The remaining schools have been accorded more than one year upto March 31, 2013 to fulfill the conditions. He said 473 schools failed to get the affiliation pursuing the proper norms. He said these schools have been now shut down by the Punjab Government.
The Minister also issued instructions to the Director General School Education (DGSE) to ensure the closure of these schools. The District Educations officers have been directed to ensure the admission of the affected students in the nearby Government Schools in consultation with their parents. The Minister said that it would be imperative for any private institutions, which intends to open school, to get affiliation from the education department fulfilling RTE Act norms.