The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Schools win first round against State

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Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Schools win first round against State

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Monday quashed an endorsement given to a private school in Bangalore by the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Bangalore North, refusing permission to start an English medium school.

The court asked the Education Department to reconsider the application of the school and pass fresh orders as per the Full Bench order of the Karnataka High Court. The Full Bench had on July 2, 2008, upheld the language policy of the State but had said that it could not be made compulsory.

It had also said that the students and their parents were free to choose the medium of instruction and that the State had no role in it.

The Rajajinagar Education Society had filed an application before the DDPI North seeking permission to start an English medium school. The DDPI had issued an endorsement, stating that the matter is pending in Supreme Court and, therefore, rejected the plea.

Challenged

The society and Karnataka Unaided Schools Management Association (KUSMA) had challenged the endorsement. The petitioners said the schools are protected by the Full Bench judgment and as there is no stay in the Supreme Court, they are bound by the High Court order.

The Government said the language policy is slated to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on April 21. It said it is entitled to wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court.

Justice Mohan Shantangouder disposed of the petition and permitted the school to file a fresh application in a week.

The Government was directed to consider the application within four weeks.

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