The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has issued a circular directing jurisdictional officers to ensure that all private aided and unaided schools adhere to guidelines before the October 31-deadline set by the High Court of Karnataka.
They have also been directed to take action as per the Karnataka Education Act against schools that do not implement the guidelines. The circular, released on Monday, mentions the court’s observations made while hearing petitions filed by the Karnataka Private School Joint Action Committee and others, stating difficulties faced in enforcing norms earlier this month.
The court also said the government could not impose guidelines on private schools unless they were enforced in schools run by the government itself. The September 26 circular says non-adherence to the deadline will result in contempt of court.
Identity cardsWhile the circular has pressed for the need to implement the safety measures in both private aided and unaided schools, the DPI has also said identity cards will be issued to students and their parents in government schools within six weeks, as per the court’s directions.
