Government sets guidelines for opening private schools

The government has issued a circular making it mandatory for managements planning to open private schools to own a minimum of two acres of land in rural areas, one-and-half acres in town municipality and panchayat jurisdictions, and at least one acre in the corporation area.

The government will not accept applications unless copies of land ownership papers or the agreement of the lease period is affixed before submitting.

This is to ensure that children get sufficient space for sports activities on the school premises.

The government has also made it mandatory for schools to have at least five classrooms for primary section, eight classrooms for higher primary, and nine classrooms for high schools — all measuring 18ft X 20ft.

Each school should have a minimum of eight toilets for boys and girls, apart from drinking water supply.

Under Secretary to the government (Education Department) R. Somashekar issued the circular to all Deputy Directors of Public Instruction on November 11, 2014 in this regard.

According to the circular, Rs. 1 lakh is the minimum safe deposit for primary schools, Rs. 2 lakh for Kannada-medium higher primary schools, Rs. 5 lakh for English primary school, Rs. 3 lakh for higher primary school and Rs. 10 lakh for English-medium higher primary school. The deposits should be kept in a joint account of the government and the school management.

Registration fee

The department has also modified the registration and procession fee for schools. As per the modified rate, Rs. 25,000 is the registration fee for pre-primary schools and Rs. 10,000 is the processing fee. Schools that run classes 1 to 5 will have to pay a registration fee of Rs. 25, 000 and processing fee of Rs. 10,000.

For Kannada schools that run classes 6 to 8, the registration fee is Rs. 50,000 and processing fee is Rs. 20,000. For English-medium schools that run classes 6 to 8, registration fee is Rs. 1 lakh and processing fee is Rs. 20,000. Schools that run classes 9 and 10 in Kannada-medium have to pay a registration fee of Rs. 50,000 and processing fee of Rs. 20,000.

For English-medium schools that run classes 9 and 10, the registration fee is Rs. 1 lakh and processing fee is Rs. 20,000.

The department has extended the last date for registration to November 30.