Hazaribag Education Department Initiates Legal Action Against Private School
The district education department in Hazaribag is currently in the advanced stages of lodging a First Information Report (FIR) against a private educational institution located in the Katkamdag block. The school, identified as SS Public School, stands accused of operating without the mandatory Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) code, a critical violation of government regulations.
Investigation and Spot Inspection Reveal Violations
This decisive legal move follows a preliminary inquiry conducted by Block Education Extension Officer (BEEO) Nageshwar Singh, which was initiated based on a formal complaint against the school. Officials confirmed on Thursday that District Superintendent of Education (DSE) Akash Kumar personally conducted a thorough spot inspection on Tuesday after reviewing Singh's initial report. The findings from this inspection corroborated the earlier inquiry, revealing that the school's operations were indeed being conducted without the requisite UDISE registration.
Sources within the district administration have indicated that the inquiry report was found to be prima facie correct, prompting Kumar to issue orders for immediate legal proceedings. The school is situated at Pundri More along the Hazaribag-Barkagaon Road, and it has been operational for approximately two years without the mandatory code.
School Management Admits to Lapses
In a significant development, the school management submitted a written explanation acknowledging that they were running the institution without the UDISE code. According to officials, this admission has strengthened the case against them. The government has made it compulsory for all schools—including government, government-aided, and private institutions—to register and consistently update their data on the UDISE+ portal. This requirement is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and overall efficiency within the education sector across India.
The UDISE+ system serves as a comprehensive digital database under the Union Ministry of Education, aimed at collecting real-time information from schools nationwide. It is mandatory for every school to obtain a UDISE number before commencing operations, ensuring that all educational institutions adhere to standardized regulatory frameworks.
Additional Allegations and Historical Context
Beyond the lack of UDISE registration, SS Public School is also facing accusations of unethical practices. The institution is alleged to have lured students away from an upgraded government school in Karare village, located within the Katkamdag block. These recruitment efforts reportedly involved false promises of free books, uniforms, and transportation services, further complicating the legal scenario.
BEEO Nageshwar Singh provided additional context, explaining that the school management admitted to certain historical lapses. Previously, the school operated at a different location in the Barkagaon area between 2011 and 2022, during which it held the UDISE code 20040301503. However, after its registration was canceled in 2022, the school was allegedly relocated to Pundri More in Katkamdag and continued to function under the same outdated code, which is no longer valid.
Currently, around 200 students are enrolled at SS Public School. Singh emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "An FIR will be registered soon against those responsible for these violations." Efforts by media outlets to contact the school's director and principal for comments have been unsuccessful, as they have not responded to inquiries.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by educational authorities to enforce compliance with national standards, ensuring that all schools operate within the legal framework to safeguard the interests of students and maintain the integrity of the education system in Hazaribag and beyond.
