‘10k unrecognised schools operating in Bihar, Jharkhand'
With 5,879 such schools, Jharkhand has the highest number of unrecognised schools in the country with an enrolment of 837,897 students and 46,421 teachers, the data showed, while Bihar has 4,915 such schools with an enrolment of 775,704 students and 42,377 teachers.
The observation came during PAB meetings for the approval of budget and plans under Samagra Shiksha scheme for 2025-26 with officials from all states between March and April 2025.
During the meeting, the ministry flagged that unrecognised schools violate section 19 of the RTE Act, 2009, which mandates pre-existing schools to meet prescribed norms within three years of the Act's commencement. Unrecognised schools are private, unaided institutions operating without formal government recognition and regulatory frameworks.
'The Act also mandates that if such schools fail to fulfil the norms, the recognition shall be withdrawn, and the school shall cease to function,' the minutes of the meetings uploaded on ministry's website recently said.
Further, the ministry has both states to 'take action and issue suitable instructions to the concerned authorities to recognise these unrecognised schools or to take appropriate action as deemed fit at the earliest.'
While the ministry used data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE)+ 2023-24 report, these records are not publicly available in the report which was released in January this year.
While officials in the education ministry did not respond to HT's request for comment, an official in Jharkhand said that directions for appropriate action have already been issued to the schools.
'These [Unrecognised] schools started functioning before the implementation of RTE Act 2009. The state government has already issued directions for recognition of such schools. We have formed district-level recognition committees for recognition of such schools,' Sachidanand Diyendu Tigga, administrative officer at Jharkhand education project council, said.
According to the minutes of the PAB meetings, the ministry has also flagged 'large variation' in reporting of data about out-of-school children (OoSC) by Bihar and Jharkhand on the education ministry's Project Appraisal, Budgeting, Achievements and Data Handling System (PRABANDH) portal and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey.
The ministry advised both the states to 'monitor the data uploaded on the portal by responsible officer under the supervision of the State Project Director (SPD).'
'We will look into discrepancies in the number of OoSCs. We are running the campaign 'back to school' to enroll those students who are not going to the schools,' Tigga said.
HT reached out to officials from the Bihar Education Project Council, but was yet to receive any response.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
8 Delhi cops suspended after security lapses during Janmashtami at ISKCON temple
Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight police personnel, including officers of the rank of inspector and sub-inspector, after lapses in security arrangements were detected during his visit to the ISKCON temple, an official said. Singh also issued a strict warning to the station house officer of Shahbad Dairy police station, under whose jurisdiction part of the deployment fell.(Sanjeev Verma/HT File Photo for representation) Singh had visited the temple to personally review security measures that had been put in place in view of Janmashtami celebrations, which attract thousands of devotees every year. Security around temples and religious places was intensified across the city as large gatherings were expected, a senior police officer said. "During his inspection, the commissioner noticed that at one of the crucial points in the temple premises, no security personnel were deployed. This raised serious concerns regarding the overall preparedness and vigilance of the staff on duty," the officer said. The police chief immediately directed stern action, ordering the suspension of eight personnel for dereliction of duty. He also issued a strict warning to the station house officer of Shahbad Dairy police station, under whose jurisdiction part of the deployment fell. Officials said the suspended personnel include inspectors and sub-inspectors who had been assigned to oversee the temple security arrangements. Their absence from designated points was viewed as a grave lapse, especially given the heightened security advisories for Janmashtami. Senior officials added that the commissioner has asked all district police commissioners to personally monitor arrangements at sensitive religious sites and ensure that personnel remain alert and visible. Singh has said that any negligence in security, particularly during major festivals, will not be tolerated. The Delhi Police has been on high alert across the capital since last week, with security stepped up at temples, marketplaces, transport hubs and other crowded areas to prevent any untoward incident during the festive period. Meanwhile, additional personnel have been deployed at the ISKCON temple to manage the heavy footfall of devotees, and senior officers are supervising the situation on the ground, officials said.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Suspected terror operative detained in Dharmavaram
Dharmavaram: In a significant catch, the police in Dharmavaram town of Sri Sathya Sai district on Friday detained a man identified as Sheikh Noor Mohammad on suspicion of having links to Pakistan-based terror groups. The arrest comes close on the heels of authorities in Vizianagaram district foiling a terror plot by arresting a suspected sympathiser and his associate. According to Penukonda DSP Narasingappa, Noor, a cook at a local hotel in Kota Colony, was taken into custody for questioning following intelligence inputs. During a search of his residence subsequently, investigators reportedly seized 16 SIM cards and sent them for forensic examination. The authorities are analysing his social media accounts to uncover any connections to extremist groups. Police seized some 'radical literature' works also from Noor. Sources indicate that Noor is being interrogated about his links to previously arrested suspects and his potential role in supporting or facilitating extremist activities. The police are also examining his local contacts and financial transactions to determine the extent of his circles. 'He (Mohammed) only consumed content and got influenced but didn't execute any act or perhaps didn't get a chance. Training could have radicalised him...,' Dharmavaram in-charge sub-divisional police officer U Narsingappa told a news agency. According to the police, Noor is an Indian citizen and a native of Dharmavaram and his forefathers also belong to the same place, ruling out foreign origin concerns. Officials stated that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terror sleeper cells and prevent extremist activities in Andhra Pradesh. Further arrests have not been ruled out. Police have booked Sheikh Noor Mohammad under provisions relating to sedition and charged him under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged ties to terror outfits. Preliminary investigations revealed that Noor was an active member of numerous WhatsApp and Facebook groups associated with terrorist organisations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed. He is accused of posting on his social media handles provocative messages intended to radicalise and lure youth into extremist activities. Authorities confirmed that Noor's actions posed a serious threat to national security. He was to be produced before the Kadiri court later on Saturday. Further investigations are underway to trace Noor's network and determine the full extent of his involvement with terror groups.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sisodia's ‘saam, daam, dand, bhed' remark to win Punjab polls triggers uproar
AAP's Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, during a women wing leadership training programme of the party in Mohali on August 13, reportedly said that the 'party would resort to whatever it takes in order to secure a victory' in the Punjab assembly elections in 2027, triggering a political storm in the state. AAP leader Manish Sisodia (HT file) A video has been posted by opposition leaders on their social media handles in which Sisodia is purportedly heard saying, '2027 assembly elections, ke chunav jitvane ke liye saam, daam, dand, bhed, sach, jhooth, question, answer, ladai, jhagra, jo karna padega, karenge. Taiyaar hain?' Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was also present at the event. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Saturday wrote a letter to the Election Commission demanding action against Sisodia. Jakhar alleged the AAP leader advocates winning elections 'by hook or by crook,' promoting undemocratic methods and violating laws. In his letter, Jakhar said these remarks mock the values of peace, freedom and integrity and clearly indicate the AAP's intention to 'undermine' the democratic process. The BJP president said these statements threaten the peace, development and prosperity of Punjab. They provide evidence of a clear intent to engage in corrupt practices, intimidate voters, incite hostility, and disturb public peace. Jakhar said these acts constitute serious offences under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including, Bribery under Section 123(1), Undue influence under Section 123(2), Promoting enmity under Section 123(3A). 'Furthermore, the statement also is an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Promoting enmity between various groups (Section 196), Statements against national unity (Section 197), Illegal threats and instilling fear (Section 353),' said Jakhar while demanding that an FIR be registered. Jakhar noted that such behaviour should lead to disqualification from contesting elections under Section 8. He added that these actions also violate the Constitution of India, undermining the principles of free and fair elections and the democratic rights of citizens guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal also appealed to the EC to take action against Sisodia. 'The Election Commission is requested to order registration of a criminal case against Sisodia as the AAP government is not likely to take action against the Delhi leader as chief minister Bhagwant Mann was part of the audience when Sisodia made the remarks. The remarks serve as proof that the AAP will vitiate the atmosphere of the state unless the EC takes firm action in the matter. The Election Commission is requested to order registration of a criminal case against Sisodia as the AAP government is not likely to take any action. CM Bhagwant Mann was part of the audience when Sisodia made the incendiary remarks,' he said. The Akali leader also appealed to the poll panel to consider debarring AAP from contesting the 2027 state elections. Punjab witnessed more than a decade of militancy, Sukhbir said.'Now this Delhi-based leader is pushing the state towards anarchy and communal violence by telling the AAP cadre to take violent steps to win the next elections,' he alleged. Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said AAP is 'mistaken' about Punjab and Punjabis. 'You can win over Punjabis with folded hands. You can't threaten and intimidate them,' he said. Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also hit out at Sisodia. In a post on X, Bajwa mentioned when Sisodia declared that they would use 'saam, daam, dand, bhed, truth, lies and even violence' to win 2027 at any cost, 'it's not strategy, it's a confession of intent to destroy democracy'.
