HC directive to TN govt on norms for play schools approval

Criticising Tamil Nadu government on the issue of grant of approval to play schools, the Madras High Court today directed the School Education Secretary to remain present in court on June 16 if the norms were not finalised by then.
A bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam, gave the order on a miscellaneous petition by a city-based play school seeking a direction to the Education Department with respect to the requirements for play schools and pre-schools to get approval.
"Once again, a request for adjournment is made for further six weeks time. Prima facie, there appears to be no seriousness on the part of government in finalising the norms despite repeated directions," the bench observed.

Granting adjournment as sought by the government pleader, the judges directed the School Education Secretary to remain present in the court on June 16 with all the records pertaining to the approval of play schools if the same was not finalised before the date.
Earlier, the government pleader submitted that the Draft Code for Pre-Nursery and Nursery and Primary Schools was under active consideration of the government and sought time.
The matter related to a PIL which sought closure of about 760 play schools in the state for allegedly functioning without affiliation or approval by the government.
The PIL filed by city-based advocate R. Balasubramnian contended that apart from running the schools without any authority, the managements of the schools were collecting "exorbitant" fee and complaints in this regard were pending before the Education Secretary.

He also submitted the schools did not meet requirements such as independent own or leased building and fire safety measures as mentioned in the rules.