Private school-college parents’ association objects to proposal of compulsory adoption of govt. schools

The committee points out in a petition that the proposal raises serious legal, constitutional and administrative concerns.

The Karnataka Private School-College Parents’ Association Co-ordination Committee has raised objections against the proposed compulsory adoption of government schools by private educational institutions.

Ahead of a meeting between Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and private educational institutions and corporates to discuss Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to develop government schools on Wednesday, the association has submitted a petition to the government seeking withdrawal of the proposal.

“Though this initiative with the objective to improve government schools is appreciative, the proposal to adopt government schools compulsorily by private schools within a district or taluk raises serious legal, constitutional and administrative concerns,” the committee said in the petition.

“Compulsory diversion of resources of private schools to another institution may interfere with their legitimate institutional autonomy,” it said.

Further, it said that school adoption may involve infrastructure development, recurring maintenance, teacher deployment and long-term financial commitments. “The government must clarify who will exercise administrative control, determine expenditure, assume accountability and bear responsibility for future liabilities,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of School Education and Literacy has invited representatives of all private unaided school managements across the State to take part in the Chief Minister’s meeting on Wednesday.