Special Correspondent
Panaji
Appealing to the parents not to enrol their children in unrecognised pre-primary – nursery, kindergarten I and Kindergarten II – schools, the directorate of education (DoE) on Friday said it will conduct a survey to check the legal status of such schools running around the state.
The DoE also warned those running unrecognised pre-primary schools that they would face fines as functioning of such schools is a punishable offence, with a provision for fine of up to Rs 50,000.
Education director Shailesh Zingade told a press conference that there are over 700 pre-primary schools operating in Goa.
Out of which over 400 have received provisional permission of the directorate.
“The government would need to amend the Goa School Education Act and Rules in order to recognise these schools,” he added.
“Parents therefore should find all details about the pre-primary schools before enrolling their children in them,” Zingade advised, adding that the taluka level as well as zonal officers of the directorate will soon start conducting a survey of unrecognised pre-primary schools, and find out if they are ready to implement Panchakosha concept of education under the national education policy 2020.
Zingade said all the pre-primary schools, including those running in houses and garages, must immediately improve their infrastructure as also provide a small playground as well as toilets for girls and boys, so as to receive provisional permission from the directorate.
He clarified that the institutions imparting non-formal education as also Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas are not under the preview of the education directorate.
Replying to a question, Zingade said the DoE has no data as regards the unrecognised pre-primary schools.
Answering another question, the education director said that no parent has lodged any complaint with the directorate as regards the unrecognised pre-primary schools in Goa.
“However, we have taken cognisance of a similar complaint from a politician,” he added.
