Bengaluru Schools Face Strict Deadline for Transfer Certificates
The school education department in Karnataka has issued a crucial circular that brings relief to countless parents and students across Bengaluru. Private schools in the city now face strict directives to issue transfer certificates (TCs) to students seeking admission to other institutions within a firm 15-day deadline from receiving applications.
The department has made it clear that any delays in complying with this requirement will result in strict action against the offending schools. This significant move comes following persistent complaints from parents and a formal letter from the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).
Legal Mandate and Enforcement Mechanism
The circular issued by the commissioner of the school education department emphasizes that schools bear complete responsibility for issuing transfer certificates promptly. Multiple court rulings have consistently directed educational institutions to process TCs within the 15-day timeframe, making this not just departmental policy but a legal requirement.
The department has instructed all aided and unaided private schools to strictly adhere to this deadline. Should any school fail to comply, parents now have a clear recourse path - they can approach their block education officer (BEO), who must then give the school one week to fall in line.
For schools that continue to resist the BEO's instructions, the consequences become severe. Action will be taken against both the head of the institution and the management under Section 106(2)(b) of the Karnataka Education Act. This offense carries significant penalties and even the possibility of imprisonment, demonstrating the seriousness with which the department views this issue.
Ground Reality and Parental Struggles
KT Thippeswamy, member of KSCPCR, revealed alarming statistics about the prevalence of TC-related complaints. Approximately 30% of all complaints received by the commission target private schools, with most cases involving denying, withholding, or entering incorrect information in transfer certificates.
"This persistent problem prompted us to write to the principal secretary of the education department requesting strict directions to schools and instructions to officials to monitor the issue closely," Thippeswamy explained.
The real-world impact of these delays becomes clear through the experience of parents like Ambarish N, a father of two. He emphasizes that the issue shouldn't end with mere warnings or circulars and strongly urges the education department to take strict action against schools that deliberately delay issuing TCs.
Ambarish shared his personal ordeal with a private school that tried to exploit the system. "Several private schools compel parents to pay fees for the next academic year even before final examinations are completed," he revealed.
He described his daughter's situation: "My daughter was in Class VI in a private school, and I had already paid 30% of the fee for her Class VII admission in March. But by May, we decided to shift her to another school closer to our residence. The school demanded the full Class VII fee to issue the TC, even though my daughter had attended only two weeks of classes."
Ambarish managed to secure the TC only after threatening to complain to the education department, highlighting the power dynamics that often leave parents helpless in such situations.
A Step Toward Accountability
This circular represents a significant step toward protecting student rights and ensuring educational mobility. By establishing clear timelines and consequences, the education department has provided parents with much-needed leverage in dealing with uncooperative schools.
The implementation of this directive will be closely watched by parents across Bengaluru who have long struggled with arbitrary practices by some private schools regarding transfer certificates. The threat of legal action and potential imprisonment serves as a strong deterrent against institutions that might consider ignoring the new regulations.
As the new academic season approaches, this circular comes as timely intervention that could prevent numerous educational disruptions for students transitioning between schools. The education department's proactive stance signals a shift toward greater accountability in Bengaluru's private education sector.
