Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has raised serious concerns over the functioning of unrecognized pre-primary and nursery schools across the state. During a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the recognition of such schools, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal questioned the state government’s decision to withdraw its January 2013 circular, which had served as the legal basis for taking action against unrecognized institutions.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the Education Secretary’s affidavit, which failed to provide clear reasons for the withdrawal, the court directed the official to submit a fresh affidavit with a detailed explanation. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for six weeks later.
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Background of the Case
The PIL was filed by Vikas Tiwari, a Congress leader from Raipur, highlighting serious irregularities in the functioning of pre-primary and nursery schools. The petition claimed that several schools were operating under similar or identical names, using a single registration to open multiple branches and charging hefty fees from unsuspecting parents.
According to the petition, more than 330 schools are currently operating without official recognition in Chhattisgarh. This has created a serious threat to students’ education and parents’ trust, as such institutions operate outside the regulatory framework and lack accountability.
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State Government’s Response
The state’s Education Department informed the court that it had revoked the 2013 circular on September 23, 2025, stating that it was inconsistent with the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The government argued that the old circular lacked specific punitive measures against unregistered schools, limiting its effectiveness.
In response to the growing concerns, the department has constituted a seven-member committee to draft a new set of regulatory guidelines aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The committee’s mandate includes ensuring student safety, educational quality, and institutional monitoring across all early education centers in the state.
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High Court’s Directives
The Division Bench observed that the withdrawal of the 2013 circular without an immediate replacement could adversely affect students’ education and future prospects. The court warned the state that if the policy vacuum harms students in any way, the responsible officials would face strict action.
Furthermore, the court instructed the state government to formulate new rules and policies governing the recognition and regulation of pre-primary and nursery schools and to report back to the court at the earliest.
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Why the Case Matters
This case holds significant importance for thousands of young students enrolled in unrecognized schools across Chhattisgarh. The absence of recognition not only raises questions about the validity of certificates issued by these institutions but also jeopardizes students’ admissions into Class 1 and further education.
With the High Court’s intervention, there is now mounting pressure on the government to streamline early education regulations and protect parents and children from exploitation by unregistered private institutions.
If the state fails to act promptly, experts warn that it could lead to a crisis of credibility in the state’s foundational education system—affecting both educational quality and child rights in the long run.
