Question : IRREGULARITIES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

(a) whether the various unfair practices adopted by the schools including charging capitation fee, refusing admission to children, making false claims through misleading advertisements, etc. have come to the notice of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) the total number of schools against which action has been taken for the said act during the last three years across the country;

(d) whether the Union Government proposes to enact a legislation to prevent malpractices indulged in by schools by way of charging capitation fee, refusing admission to children and making false claims and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the effective measures being taken by the Government to check such unfair practices adopted by the schools?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a): Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and since most of the schools are being run by the State Governments, it is the responsibility of the respective State Government to take appropriate action in this regard. However, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) receives sporadic complaints against privately managed schools alleging the demand of capitation fee and donation.

(b)&(c): A total of 29 complaints have been received during last two years and the current year. A table indicating the complaints received and action taken is annexed.

(d)&(e): Draft legislation has been prepared to curb unfair practices in the school education sector including the charging of capitation fees, misleading and non-transparent processes adopted by schools for the admission of students in higher classes, and the appointment of ineligible and unqualified teachers.