Open House: With 78 unrecognised schools in city, should Admn focus on rules or children’s future?

Admn must focus on children’s future

The Chandigarh Administration has taken a step in the right direction by checking and controlling unrecognised schools, which have a considerable number of students. Instead of closing them immediately, they should be given a year to address shortcomings such as student–teacher ratio, safety standards, libraries, and sports facilities. Parents will otherwise struggle to secure mid-session admissions elsewhere. The administration should issue notices, impose fines, and ensure timely compliance.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Balanced steps needed from admn

The administration must inspect unrecognised schools thoroughly, evaluating infrastructure, teaching quality, and curriculum. Guidance should be offered, along with alternative arrangements for schools unlikely to meet standards. Parents, teachers, and communities need greater awareness about education’s importance. Policies should be flexible yet firm, safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring high educational standards.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Consider provisional recognition of schools

The Chandigarh Administration cannot hide behind rules when 12,152 children are affected. Education is a fundamental right and cannot be curbed by bureaucracy. Instead of abrupt closures, schools meeting minimal standards should be given provisional recognition with time-bound compliance deadlines. Institutions exploiting regulations must face heavy penalties, or mergers with compliant schools. The priority is clear: protect children’s learning, punish errant managements.

Vineet Gandhi

Save learning, support transition plans

With 12,152 students in 78 unrecognised schools, rigid rule enforcement risks disruption. Regulations are vital, but short-term flexibility combined with long-term reforms—like teacher training, improved infrastructure, and curriculum standardisation—can ensure compliance without harming children. Supporting schools to improve while protecting student learning should remain the administration’s core responsibility.

Lakhwinder Wazir Bhullar

Children should not suffer due to rules

It is concerning that 78 unrecognised schools operate in Chandigarh without action by the authorities. Responsible citizens cannot disregard students’ futures when children are not at fault. A solution that secures students’ education must be urgently devised.

Charanjit Singh

Balanced enforcement policy needed

The plight of 12,152 children studying in unrecognised Chandigarh schools reflects a dilemma between rules and education rights. While preventing mushrooming institutions is necessary, rigid closures harm innocent learners. Children should not suffer for administrative lapses or institutional negligence Authorities should adopt a transitional framework, giving schools time to comply, while strengthening government schools for absorption if required. Rule of law and the right to education must complement

one another.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Allow time to meet set criteria

Recognition criteria for schools have been clearly defined, yet many unrecognised institutions continue to function, jeopardising students’ futures. District 0sauthorities should have prevented this situation. A 90-day grace period should be granted for compliance; schools that meet norms may continue, while the rest must close, with displaced children accommodated in recognised schools.

Gurnoor Grewal, Chandigarh

A silent crisis for education

With over 12,000 children in 78 unrecognised schools, urgent intervention is needed. Many parents, attracted by low fees, remain unaware of the greater risk — no recognition, poorly qualified teachers, and unsafe infrastructure. The administration cannot remain a passive observer. It must enforce compliance but also ensure smooth transitions for affected children. Every child deserves a school that is safe, recognised and capable of building their future. No child’s future should remain uncertain in a city proud of its educational reputation.

Brigadier Advitya Madan

Take action, protect students’ careers

It is troubling that Chandigarh’s administration only began investigating unrecognised schools after over 12,000 children had enrolled. While action must be taken against unauthorised schools, the academic careers of enrolled students must not be disrupted.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd)

Education rules must serve children

Withholding recognition without alternatives compromises children’s right to education. While rules ensure accountability, children should not suffer for administrative failings. A balanced policy—temporary recognition for schools meeting basic standards, plus transitional assistance—is necessary. At the same time, rigorous observation and overhaul should guarantee that defaulting schools comply with standards. Education is a right that must outweigh bureaucracy.

Jeevan Jyoti, Mohali

Protect students, ensure strong norms

The issue of 78 unrecognised schools reveals weak regulatory enforcement. While the administration provides welfare measures in government schools, its failure to curb unregulated institutions raises questions. Such schools may compromise quality and safety. Rules must focus on protecting children while guiding schools towards compliance or integration into the formal system.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Allow provisional regulation

During the 1960s, many of Chandigarh’s achievers were educated in small, unrecognised schools in local communities. Recognition mattered less than the discipline, opportunity, and education these grassroots institutions offered. Today’s debate misses this legacy. Provisional recognition, along with opportunities for improvement, should be allowed instead of dismissal.

Narinder Banwait, Chandigarh

Strict deadlines, no procrastination

Children enrolled in unrecognised schools must not be deprived of exams. These children don't get admission in recognised schools. Authorities should issue notices, demanding either compliance or closure by March, ensuring no further exploitation of children’s futures.

Dr Sachdeva, Retd. Principal

Safeguard dreams, guide schools forward

The future of over 12,000 children in Chandigarh remain uncertain due to study in unrecognised schools. Shutting them risks disrupting education. Instead, the government should give schools proper guidance and a reasonable time to meet the required standards. During this period, students must be allowed to continue their studies without interruption. Children’s dreams should be protected, because they are the ones who will shape the future of our society.

Dr Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi

Strengthen education governance urgently

The existence of 78 unrecognised schools is a governance lapse. Schools should either be merged, upgraded to meet policies under the National Education Policy or reasonably phased out. Chandigarh, a city with one of the highest literacy rates, must ensure uniformity in fees, curriculum and safety.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Rules must protect, not punish

Strict enforcement must not penalise innocent children. Shutting 78 schools without a transition plan harms students. The administration should absorb children into recognised schools, help compliant schools with recognition, and punish wilful offenders. Simultaneously, strict regulation and transparent monitoring must prevent such proliferation in future.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Support poor-friendly schools, not closures

Many unrecognised schools serve students from weaker sections who cannot access private or government seats. Closing them outright would worsen inequality. Instead, criteria like student performance, infrastructure and safety should form the legal basis for gradual absorption into the education system.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Ensure recognised schools function

Children’s futures cannot be secure in shop-like, unrecognised schools lacking libraries, labs, and playgrounds. These schools must be strictly scrutinised. Compliant schools should receive recognition, while others should be closed with students transferred to proper institutions prepared to ensure quality education.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Phased, empathetic approach needed

Closing all 78 schools abruptly would cause undue distress. Instead, the administration must conduct inspections, grant provisional recognition where feasible, and transition unsafe institutions out while ensuring students remain unaffected. The goal must be to secure futures first, enforce rules second.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Balance compliance and child welfare

While safety and accountability are vital, rules must not compromise children’s right to education. Unrecognised schools should be supported to meet recognition norms within firm timelines. Simultaneously, temporary admissions or bridging arrangements should be established to ensure no child is harmed in the process.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Child-Focused approach needed

Rules should serve children, not displace them. Authorities must provide schools resources for compliance instead of punishment, ensuring no students are displaced. Transparent timelines and support can enforce standards while protecting children’s rights.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Bridge education gaps with support

The administration must declare a moratorium on punishments, launch a “Bridge the Gap” mission with NGOs, support infrastructure development, and grant provisional recognition to students. Governance should aim to include and improve, not disrupt.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Reform, regulate, rehabilitate schools

Regulatory standards are important, but closures jeopardise 12,152 students. Authorities should devise clear transition timelines, extend provisional recognition where needed, and simultaneously expand recognised schools’ capacity. Compliance, regulation, and rehabilitation must all work to protect children’s rights.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Swift regularisation path bssential

The Chandigarh Administration must prioritise swift regularisation for unrecognised schools. Achievable compliance paths, provisional recognition, and strict deadlines will ensure education continuity. Task forces, partnerships, and financial aid can bridge gaps. Both compliance and compassion are essential.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Children’s future cannot Be bartered

Unrecognised schools lack infrastructure, formal affiliations, and trained teachers, leaving children vulnerable. Students should be shifted to government-recognised schools immediately. Administrations must publish lists of recognised institutions to guide parents and prevent exploitation.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Unrecognised schools lack credibility

Education has become commercialised. Many unrecognised schools lack credibility, putting children’s valid certificates at risk. All unregistered schools must be shut, with displaced pupils reallocated. Parents must be educated to verify recognition status before admission.

SS Arora, Chandigarh

Chalk out framework for quality education

Education provides empowerment and dignity. For children, it must be structured under a firm framework. Guidelines for curriculum, fees, infrastructure, and safety must be monitored. Unrecognised schools should be upgraded or upscaled to ensure equal opportunities for all children.

Harveen Singh, Mohali

Devise strategy for students’ future

With more than 12,000 students in unrecognised schools, Chandigarh Administration must devise a strategy to ensure all children continue in recognised schools without disruption.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Reform-driven approach needed

With 12,152 students in unrecognised schools, closing them outright will hurt education. Schools must be given resources, clear deadlines, and guidance to meet norms. Parents and students should not suffer for administrative negligence.

Dr Shilpee Srivastava, Mohali

Students must not bear the burden

The sudden mushrooming of 78 schools raises serious questions. Recognition should be made a priority, or students spread across government schools. Teaching staff may be adjusted on temporary employment. Students’ futures must be protected above all else.

Savita Kuthiala

UT admn must shut unrecognised Schools

Unrecognised institutions are little more than coaching shops preying on gullible parents and children. The administration must shut them down and prevent their proliferation, ensuring children are not fooled into false education.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Relax unnecessary red tape

Rules for recognition are sometimes unnecessarily rigid. Schools that meet minimum requirements should be recognised, while students from underperforming schools must be shifted. Chandigarh’s government schools are performing well and should be expanded further to absorb children in need. Last but not the least since these schools are functioning for more than a decade, their staff can be adjusted either as a guest workers  as a part time workers.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh