New panel for recognition to schools

The new committee,set up on Monday,is headed by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Netram,Secretary of Secondary Education Anup Chandra Pandey and K M Tripathi,Director of Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP School Board).

The decision came after the state government found that nearly 700 schools,which were recently given recognition,did not fulfill the norms. Following the complaints of bribe in the procedure,the government had ordered an inquiry.

After being asked by the government,the board has now instructed that no admissions should be allowed in these schools until the inquiry is over,sources said.

The government also noted that three Samiti meetings were called within 30 days. “Usually,only one meeting is called in a year to decide for recognition to new schools,but this year the first meeting was held from June 22 to 25 and another from July 5 to 11. The third was scheduled for July 22 when the government intervened and cancelled it,” said an official.

Higher Secondary Education Minister Rangnath Mishra admitted to the complaints of irregularities in granting affiliation to schools.

“The formation of the committee has brought transparency in the process,” he said. Mishra,however,denied that this would mitigate his role as minister. “I was also in favour of such a committee. This would improve the image of the government and the Board,” he added.

UP Board Director K M Tripathi refused to comment.