Maharashtra Minority Commission Cracks Down on Illegal Nagpur Schools
The Maharashtra State Minority Commission has taken decisive action against two schools in Nagpur that were operating without proper authorization. Following a thorough inquiry, both institutions claiming minority status have been ordered to shut down immediately for lacking the requisite permissions from the education department.
Schools Operating Without Approval
Commission President Pyare Khan revealed that the two schools were functioning under the umbrella of a minority institution based in Bhandara. "These two schools specifically had not been given any approval to start operations," Khan emphasized. "There are around 600 students enrolled there, and now all of them will be shifted to nearby institutes by the education department. No child will lose their academic year."
In addition to the closure, authorities have registered a formal case at the local police station against the management of both schools for their illegal activities.
Inquiry Triggered by Commission Complaint
The investigation was initiated by the Nagpur Zilla Parishad's education department at the direct request of the Minority Commission. Khan explained the sequence of events: "We received a complaint that two schools were operating illegally and had even demanded money from their staff to secure jobs, claiming that government grants would be given to them for salaries."
"I wrote to the education department, which then directed Nagpur ZP to conduct the inquiry," he added. The inquiry was conducted over separate days in March, with a comprehensive report submitted to the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) for the Nagpur division.
Widespread Problem Across Maharashtra
Khan expressed concern about the broader pattern of such violations across the state. "Many such illegal minority schools operate across Maharashtra, and our commission has begun a crackdown," he stated. "Such irregularities are taking place in full public view, so I am shocked how authorities fail to notice. My concern is that some minority status institutions are indulging in this type of activity, and giving everyone else a bad name."
Guidance for Parents
The Commission President urged parents to exercise due diligence before enrolling their children in any educational institution. "Parents can check the UDISE number of a school on the government's site. Alternatively, they can ask for the same number from the school and verify it," Khan advised.
The UDISE number serves as a unique identifier for schools—functioning similarly to an Aadhaar card—and is issued exclusively to government-approved institutions. This verification can be performed through official government portals to ensure legitimacy.
Key Recommendations for Verification
- Always verify a school's UDISE number through official government websites
- Request the UDISE number directly from school administration and cross-check it
- Confirm that the institution has proper approval from the education department
- Report any suspicious or illegal school operations to authorities immediately
This action by the Maharashtra State Minority Commission represents a significant step toward ensuring educational integrity and protecting students from fraudulent institutions across the state.
