Karnataka Govt makes norms strict for nurseries

Bengaluru: Following public outcry over the functioning of various nursery schools the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has taken certain measures to ensure safer and more conducive environment for children.

As per the decision to start a nursery school, which consists of LKG and UKG, in Bengaluru city, the promoters must take permission by paying Rs 10,000. Maximum strength of a nursery class should not exceed 30 children and square feet of space is must per kid.

Admission
If the nursery school is attached to a primary school then it can receive application till the last day of February. Nursery school should follow school calendar of events. But in case of independent schools admission can be done all through the year.

Women staff
DPI has made women staff mandatory in a primary school and the school should appoint teachers with good background. A school should have a compound wall and it will be granted permission only if it has a rent or lease agreement for minimum three years.

Activist unhappy
Even though DPI has proposed few measures to safeguard the interest of students it is too little and late, activists said. “There is no proposal like mandatory CCTV etc, background verification of staff also dropped, proposal like parents committee in schools etc are not mentioned,” said an activist who wished to remain anonymous.

Earlier there was confusion regarding who should monitor nursery classes, whether DPI or Department of Women and Child Welfare. As per the latest decision DPI would oversee nursery education.