The Karnataka government has done a U-turn on its decision to close unauthorised schools in a phased manner. 

This comes just days after the commissioner of the department of public instruction sent a reminder to deputy directors across the state, seeking them to ensure closure before August 16. 

The roll back was announced in a media briefing by the minister for school education and literacy, Madhu Bangarappa who held a long meeting with representatives of private school associations on Friday. 

Speaking after the meeting, he said, “It is not a tough move to simply close these schools. The pertinent question is what happens to the future of students studying here? Where will they go,” he said. 

Calling the issue a sensitive one, Bangarappa said that the there is a proposal to amend the existing regulations to legalise some aspects of these unauthorised schools. 

Bangarappa added that giving these schools and extention of the deadline will allow some to rectify their errors and work towards functioning in an authorised manner. However, the minister said that should it be found that under this garb, new schools have started functioning, the officials concerned with giving them permission will be held directly responsible. 

The issue of unauthorised private schools was triggered when one private school in Bengaluru which allegedly had permission only to teach state syllabus had adopted CBSE curriculum illegally. Parents were shocked when the schools made a sudden switch in textbooks after board to exams were announced for class V and VIII. 

Among the other issues, private schools discussed with the minister challenges involving registration, renewal of affiliation, NOCs, infrastructure provisions, textbooks revision and financial aid to private Kannada medium schools. 

Also Read: Karnataka: Time-bound deadline given to shut unauthorized schools