[katetomson]

At least 1,000 schools in the state are in a spot with the Directorate of Matriculation Schools (DMS) warning that their recognition would be cancelled if they did not meet the minimum requirement of land.
The state has fixed a minimum of 33 cents of land in corporation limits for running a school, one acre in district headquarters, two acres in town panchayats and three in village panchayats.

Earlier, schools were given permission if they met the minimum requirements within a stipulated time frame. However, the institutions started to get extension every year and also get recognition.

“The DMS has now compelled the institutions to meet the land requirements to get recognition immediately. It is not possible for all schools to do so as there is no land adjacent to the school building and even in cases where it is, the costs are exorbitant,” R. Visalakshi, president of TN Private Schools Association, said.

“More than 1,000 schools in Tamil Nadu have got notices now,” Visalakshi said.

She explained that many good schools have been functioning in this manner for the past twenty years and they should not be derecognised for inadequate land adjacent to those schools.

“This year, too, the schools might ask for extension. The CM should give exemption, rather than shut good schools.

This will help run them effectively without far of de-recognition, the association said.

Thousands of students studying in these schools need not fear that their schools would be derecognised. “Rather than insisting on implementing the rules in old schools, the government can insist that new schools should meet the requirements,” said Visalakshi.

If schools have land at two different places, recognition should be granted. “Or the strength be limited according to infrastructure,” she said.

-dc chn