MUMBAI: After a series of protests by tribal students over poor infrastructure, inadequate basic facilities and safety concerns, the Maharashtra government has empowered the tribal development department to initiate the derecognition of residential schools that fail to meet prescribed standards.
The decision comes amid mounting complaints against tribal residential schools and ashram schools over inadequate infrastructure, poor academic performance, lack of basic amenities and incidents affecting student safety. It is also the fourth major decision taken by the tribal development department in less than two weeks, following protests by tribal students in Pune and Nashik.
“Any complaint against a recognised school, a score of less than 60 in a departmental or third-party assessment or a finding of inadequate physical or basic infrastructure will lead to a detailed inspection. The additional tribal commissioner will constitute an inquiry team to visit the school and assess the deficiencies,” states the GR. The government has made it clear that if the shortcomings are serious or remain unaddressed despite directions, the inspection team will submit a report recommending cancellation of recognition. “The school management will then be served a show-cause notice and given an opportunity to submit a written explanation and present its case at a hearing. The government has also made it mandatory for the tribal development department to plan the relocation of students if a school loses its recognition.
The tribal commissioner will subsequently make a reasoned recommendation to the government, which will take the final decision on derecognition,” says the GR.
