PANAJI: The Directorate of Education (DoE) will conduct a special survey to identify unauthorized pre-primary schools, imparting formal education, operating across the State.
Addressing a press conference, Director Education Shailesh Zingade said that as per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, operating pre-primary schools without recognition from the department is a punishable offence with a fine up to Rs 50,000.
"Under the National Education Policy the foundation stage, including play school, KG 1 and KG 2, which were previously just registered and unrecognized, now fall under the regular school framework and must apply for recognition. Schools need to register on the designated app for permission. We will inspect their facilities before granting recognition," Zingade explained.
Stating that many schools are operating from residential premises or garages, Zingade said that the Dept will carry out a taluka and zonal-level survey to identify unauthorized pre-primary schools. As per regulations, running an unrecognized school is a punishable offence, with fines of up to Rs 50,000. "If schools continue to operate despite warnings, they will be fined Rs 10,000 per day," Zingade stated.
He said that the State will have to amend the Goa School Education Act to grant recognition to these schools and till then only provisional permissions are granted.
Zingade said that schools would be inspected on infrastructure as well as the academic front before granting recognition.
Zingade urged parents to verify a school's recognition status before admitting their children. "Schools operating without approval will be shut down," he warned.
