A distressed mother in Bengaluru has taken legal action against a private school, alleging it deceived her by falsely claiming to possess all necessary government affiliations and recognition before admitting her seven-year-old daughter. The incident has cast a spotlight on the alarming issue of unauthorised educational institutions operating in the state.
Promise of Papers Only After Payment
The complainant, Niveditha P (name changed), a resident of Panathur, approached the school located in Gunjur seeking admission for her child into Grade 2. According to her police complaint, the school's counsellor and principal assured her that the institution had secured all mandatory permissions and licences. When Niveditha requested to see the documents, she was allegedly told they would be produced only after the admission fee was paid. Trusting their word, she proceeded to pay Rs 25,000 online, along with an additional Rs 1,000 as an application fee.
However, the school failed to provide any proof of permission or affiliation even after receiving the payment, despite her repeated follow-ups. "I made enquiries with other parents and acquaintances and learnt that it is being run without any valid permission or licence," Niveditha stated. She further alleged that several other parents were cheated in a similar fashion, with the school collecting fees without obtaining the required statutory approvals.
Complaints Ignored, Admissions Continue
Frustrated by the school's evasion, Niveditha escalated the matter by lodging complaints with the block education officer and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction. She claims no concrete action was taken. "Even after receiving the complaints, the school continued to admit students, which clearly shows that it is knowingly and wilfully cheating parents," she alleged. The homemaker expressed severe anxiety over her daughter's academic future, as admissions in other schools had closed by then, leaving them in immense mental stress and facing financial loss.
"It's not just about the money. Schools and hospitals exist to serve people—it should never be about deceiving them. That is why I decided to approach police," Niveditha told the media. She has urged the police to take immediate action against the school, halt its operations, and help recover her money. The implicated school is part of a chain headquartered in Mumbai.
Police Probe and Statewide Crisis of Unauthorised Schools
In response, a senior officer from the Sarjapura police station confirmed that notices have been issued to the school management and principal, directing them to submit all documents related to the allegations. The police have also written to the block education officer seeking clarity on the school's status concerning CBSE affiliation and other legal requirements.
This case is not isolated. It emerges against a backdrop of a significant crisis in Karnataka's school education system. According to the state's department of school education, more than 900 schools across Karnataka were operating without authorisation in 2024. Simultaneously, recognised private schools are facing severe delays in the renewal of their recognition.
Prabhakar Urs, general secretary of the private schools' association 'Our Schools', revealed that around 50% of schools did not apply for renewal this cycle. Out of 5,762 applications submitted, only 761 were approved, while over 3,697 were rejected. Urs cited pending relaxations related to building safety, fire safety, and land conversion norms as a major hurdle.
The recognition deadlock has also impacted board examinations. The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) had directed officials to tag SSLC students from unrecognised schools to nearby government schools for exams. However, school managements have appealed to KSEAB to allow students to appear from their own institutions until the renewal issue is resolved. The department of school education and literacy has stated it is examining the matter.
