204 Unauthorised Private Schools in Mumbai

There are currently 204 Private schools operating in the Mumbai Municipal corporation limits with the M west Ward topping with 36 schools out of 204 operating within its limits. This information was provided by the Education dept to RTI Activist Anil Galgali. RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought the information about the Unauthorised Private Schools from the School Education Dept vide his RTI query dt 25th June 2015. In its reply the Dy Education Officer of the Private Primary Schools dept, Shri Prakash Chahate handed over a list of 204 unauthorized private schools to Galgali. According to the list, the maximum of 36 such schools falls in the jurisdiction of M West Ward, followed by 30 such schools in Kurla L Ward, 20 in P North Ward, 12 in Ghatkopar N ward, 12 in Chembur M East Ward, 10 in Matunga F North ward, 10 in Andheri K East Ward, 10 in R Central ward, 10 in R North ward, 9 in R south ward, 9 in Bhandup S ward, 8 in P South ward, 8 in G North ward, 5 in Byculla E ward, 5 in Andheri K West Ward, 3 in B ward, 2 in Mulund T ward, 2 in F South ward, 1 Each in A Ward, H East ward & D Ward. On the query of action taken against such Unauthorized private schools, Anil Galgali was informed that, As per provisions of the Right to Education Act, and actions based on the Section 18(5) of the Child free and Compulsory Right to Education Act 2009, a unauthorized school is levied a fine of Rs 1 Lakh and even after payment if the said school dos not stop operations then it can be levied a fine of Rs 10,000/= per day. It also informed that all the said schools have been issued Notices. The Child's Free & Compulsory Right to Education Act 2009 does not contain clarity on the Account Head under which the recovery of the Fines levied on the Unauthorized schools have to be collected. The said clarity is even absent in the orders of the Govt as well its various resolutions issued in regard to the implementation of the Act. The dept has corresponded with the Govt for necessary directions regarding the Account Head under which the fines levied have to be collected and deposited with the treasury, but it has yet to receive the necessary guidelines from the govt. Anil Galgali has expressed that, apart from recovering fines from such Unauthorized Private Schools, the Govt should also file criminal cases against the Promoters of such schools. Due to the Non clarity on the Account Head the govt has not been collect fines to a tune of over Rs 2 crores, In a letter addressed to CM Devendra Fadnavis, Galgali has demanded strict action on the Govt Officers responsible for drafting inappropriate GR, which lacks necessary clarity. Govt should issue complete GR at the earliest, demanded Galgali.