Karnataka’s efforts to regulate pre-schools face significant challenges, as the state lacks an accurate count of these institutions. The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has not maintained a comprehensive registration system, allowing a proliferation of private pre-schools and early childhood education centers to operate without proper oversight. While many pre-schools affiliated with government or private schools are obtaining the necessary approvals, numerous stand-alone pre-schools function without any regulatory checks. This has raised concerns regarding financial exploitation of parents through steep fees and costly educational materials, along with the safety and welfare of children.
In a significant move, the Karnataka government has initiated steps to register all types of pre-primary schools, aiming for child safety and the organization of private institutions. On May 27, 2025, the DSEL issued an order defining pre-primary education as non-formal learning for children ages three to five, regardless of their designation as play homes, Montessori, or nurseries. Newly established pre-schools will be mandated to register, reflecting a shift towards regulation in the sector.
K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner of the Department of Public Instruction, stated, “From this year, registration of all pre-schools has been made mandatory.” The new criteria include building specifications to ensure safety, with dimensions requiring a minimum of 2,000 sq. ft. for facilities, additional playground areas, and necessary safety certificates. Consequently, district-level officials have been tasked with overseeing registration within their jurisdictions, although a gap remains in addressing existing pre-schools.
Estimates suggest approximately 45,000 pre-schools exist in Karnataka, with only 20,000 integrated within government and private institutions authorized by the DSEL. The exact number of stand-alone pre-schools remains unknown, leading to calls for comprehensive regulations to ensure uniformity across the education landscape. Currently, parents and education advocates are pressing for standard operating procedures (SOPs) to safeguard children and set a fee structure within pre-schools, as many institutions operate with arbitrary pricing schemes.
Concerns are further exacerbated by the lack of a consistent curriculum across pre-schools. Although the Karnataka government previously introduced a curriculum, there remains no standardized approach for all institutions. Education experts advocate for a play-based learning approach, emphasizing that introducing early writing lessons can hinder overall child development.
Additionally, numerous pre-schools are reportedly enrolling underage children, undermining established age criteria for admission. The National Education Policy-2020 mandates that children must be six years old by June 1 to enter first grade, aligning with a minimum enrollment age of three for pre-school. However, many institutions continue to admit younger students, prompting further scrutiny.
Niranjanaradhya, a development education expert, highlights the urgency of implementing effective SOPs to protect children. He asserts that child welfare is a fundamental right and that the Karnataka government must establish regulations to ensure safety and prevent exploitation in the pre-school system.
The recent order has been positively received by the Associated Managements of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), who see registration as a vital step toward oversight in the pre-school sector. As unauthorised pre-schools proliferate, stakeholders express hope that tighter regulations will facilitate safer and more equitable learning environments for Karnataka’s youngest learners.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/taking-baby-steps-to-regulate-pre-schools/article69630577.ece
Category : Karnataka
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-05-30 07:15:00
