Of 132 playschools, only one registered in Ambala

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, January 19

Of 132 identified playschools in Ambala district, only one was found registered and following the guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Of the remaining 131 unregistered schools, only 54 have applied for inspection for the registration purpose.

Ambala District Programme Officer for Women and Child Development Baljeet Kaur said: “A survey was conducted and 132 playschools were found operating in the district. They were directed to follow the guidelines of the NCPCR and to get the mandatory registration done. Now, 54 playschools have applied for the inspection for registration purpose, which will be conducted soon. At present, there is only one playschool following the guidelines of the NCPCR.”

“Though a notification regarding responsibility for the violation of guidelines and monitoring committee members from the government is yet to be issued, we have asked the playschools to prepare affidavits stating that they were not violating any guidelines of the NCPCR. Regular inspections will be conducted and a close watch would be kept on the playschools. If they are found violating the norms, strict action will be initiated,” she added.

Sources said a number of playschools were being run from houses and other small premises where statutory requirements were not being fulfilled.

According to the NCPCR guidelines, no private playschool should be established without the recognition of the competent authority and except in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in such recognition.

It is mandatory for playschools to have CCTV cameras, medical room, restroom, quarterly medical check-up, school building, standard teacher-student ratio, children-friendly toilets, learning aids, adequate staff to maintain hygiene, sanitation, and proper security arrangements for children.

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), said: “We have already held a meeting with operators of the playschools and they were advised to follow the norms of the NCPCR. We will push for relaxation in a few guidelines because they may put financial burden on small schools.”