2,500 ‘fake’ schools to be shut in Maharashtra

The state government on Friday announced its decision to shut down 2,500 schools and register criminal cases against the principals and management heads for faking attendance of students for years.

The schools were found with over 50% student absenteeism, according to a government census held in October last.  As a result, government funds of over Rs1000 crore per year was being spent on fake numbers of students. CM Prithviraj Chavan, who made the announcement in the state assembly, said the decision was taken in the cabinet.

Also, UID number has become mandatory for teachers and students and only after submission of which, the grant for the academic year 2013-14 will be made available. School education minister Rajendra Darda told DNA that it would help the state save the Rs1,000 crore spent as aid.

“Most of the bogus schools are owned by political leaders.  In Akola, a school is owned by a political leader, his son is principal of the school, while wife was clerk and son a peon,” revealed a government official.