The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : 10 applications to start matriculation schools rejected

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

10 applications to start matriculation schools rejected

By Shastry V Mallady

MADURAI, FEB.22. Ten applications seeking permission to start new matriculation schools from the next academic year at various places, including Madurai, have been rejected for want of adequate infrastructure and other shortcomings.

The proposals, submitted to the inspector of matriculation schools, December last were not accepted after the authorities had carried out inspection in the last few weeks and found that the schools did not meet the norms prescribed by the Government.

Official sources here said the proposals (for having classes from one to six) were submitted for starting 11 matriculation schools in Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts "but only one school met the guidelines and got the clearance." The remaining 10 applications were rejected and the applicants asked to improve the amenities provided on the school campus.

Common deficiency

While the common deficiency in these schools was lack of infrastructure, absence of adequate space was also found and hence, the applications were rejected.

The applications were submitted before December 31 last year, the last date to apply for starting new matriculation schools from the academic year 2005-06, and the inspection teams visited the places since January. Only one application from Rajapalayam was found satisfactory and it was forwarded to the Director of Matriculation Schools, for further clearance, the sources said.

According to officials, the Government was giving more emphasis to safety standards and infrastructure in schools after the fire tragedy in Kumbakonam and hence all the existing schools were asked to meet the required criteria.

Inspection in all schools

Meanwhile, the authorities of matriculation schools are undertaking inspection at all the 165 matriculation schools in Madurai district. Some of the schools that are functioning from a cramped place have been asked to shift to a better location "and following this some schools have applied for shifting the school to other locations."

Meanwhile, the Inspector of Matriculation Schools , J. Sathyavathi, who is in-charge of Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts, said partial shifting of schools would not be allowed under any circumstance.

"All the classes have to be shifted and should function from a single campus," she said. The cases of unqualified teachers working in matriculation schools were also being looked into, the IMS said.

The prescribed land area for new school is: six grounds of land in corporation limits, eight grounds in district headquarters, 10 grounds for municipality, one acre for town panchayat and three acres for panchayat.

Ms. Sathyavathi said any loopholes could be traced when the schools came for renewal of recognition. A total of 67,109 students are studying in matriculation schools in Madurai district from nursery to higher secondary classes.

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