UT likely to derecognise Shivalik school

Talking to Newsline,school principal D S Bedi denied violating the norms. “We have already given around Rs 40 lakh to the Administration. How can they question us on not reserving funds? As far as the ramps are concerned,we have decided to install lifts in the school and are already working on the plan.”

He said that the Administration was unnecessarily targeting the school when there were other institutions found lacking on various grounds as well. “A three-decade-old institution is being harassed without reason. We have also been admitting students from EWS without fail and the department is aware of it,” he asserted. Sources in the Independent Schools’ Association maintain that they would move court in support of the school in case the matter is “not resolved” soon.

Meanwhile,Education department officials say that stage is set to derecognise the school once the Home Secretary goes through the report. “Chances of the school not losing its recognition are bleak. It has violated certain norms prima facie,” said an official.

The CBSE has already disaffiliated the school after acting on a report submitted by the then DPI(S) S K Setia where he had pointed out several violations.

Noose to be tightened around schools violating norms

After deciding to derecognise Shivalik Public School,the Administration is all set to crack down on other schools as well that have violated building bylaws. Bringing another 10 schools under the scanner,the UT Administration is planning to send a ‘final warning’.

Schools including DAV Model,Sector 15,Bhavan Vidyalaya and Delhi Public School have regularly invited the ire of the government for erring on different bylaws. Both DAV Model and Bhavan Vidyalaya have constructed an auditorium in the basement posing a threat to the safety of children with only one exit and non-availability of fire safety measures as well. Bhavan Vidyalaya also has its clerical office running in the basement which is the workplace of around eight employees.

Officials also say that schools like St Kabir and St Stephen’s have raised the height of the outer boundary wall by fencing the area and St Kabir has constructed an open air stadium in the premises. The Administration is also likely to bring schools that have erred on other grounds like not keeping a proper salary record and those not received a No-Objection Certificate from the Fire department under the scanner. Talking to Newsline,Home Secretary Ram Niwas said the Administration had decided to send a warning to the schools and give a stipend time to rectify the violations. “In case the school fails to do so,we would initiate action against them,” he said.