Even as activists are glad that the NPS’s allegedly false claiming of minority status came to light, but allege that it is not the only one.
Vice president of the Centre for Child and Law at NLSIU Niranjan Aradhya said that forging minority certificates was common. “More often with linguistic minority schools as the state government has very little control over schools established by people from other states.”
In 2012, the Supreme Court had exempted unaided minority institutions from the RTE, triggering a scramble for minority certificates. In Karnataka, an institution can be called a minority institution if 75% of its students belong to a linguistic or religious minority.
“One solution to this problem could be to strengthen and develop state schools. The government must look into regulating private schools and must keep a check on them,” Aradhya said.
How NPS got caught
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has ordered a case to be filed against NPS Group of Schools in Karnataka for forging documents to avoid setting aside 25% seats to students under the Right to Education.
The NPS forgery came to light because of a complaint filed with the DPI about three years ago, Sowjanya, Commissioner for Public Instruction, told The News Minute.
“The complaint alleged that the school was forging minority certificate and the complaint was forwarded to the government. During investigation, officials of the National Commission for Minority Education Institutions (NCMEI) and the Directorate of Urdu and Other Minority Language Institutions said that they were forged documents,” Sowanya said.
“They pointed out various aspects such as font and the letterhead that did not match the official format. The certificates which had to bear Director (Minority), DPIM Zohra Jabeen’s signature, were not signed by her,” Sowjanya said.
Now, National Public School branches in Rajajinagar, Indiranagar, Koramangala, HSR layout, Mysuru and the National Academy for Learning, Basaveshwara Nagar are under the scanner.
NCMEI has filed an FIR against K.P. Gopalkrishna, the founder-chairman of the group in New Delhi.
Gopalakrishna said that the allegations are yet to be established, reported The Hindu.
“There needs to be a thorough inquiry before action is initiated,” he said.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has sought a reply from manager of NPS Indiranagar within 15 days failing which action will be taken as per provisions of the affiliation bylaws.