Private school managements oppose mandatory fire, building safety certificates for recognition renewal in Karnataka

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has invited applications online for the Recognition Renewal (RR) of aided and unaided schools for the year 2025-26.

However, private school managements have objected to making building safety, fire safety, and land conversion certificates mandatory for the RR of schools started before 2017-18 even though the case is pending in the High Court.

As per the rules of Karnataka Education Act, 1983 and the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Recognition of Primary and Secondary Schools) Rules, 1999, it is mandatory for all private and aided schools to submit an application for first recognition/renewal of recognition with the necessary documents within the prescribed period. If any school is functioning without recognition, the government will take action.

Fake certificates submitted

In this context, online applications have been invited for recognition of new schools and renewal of existing schools; physical applications will not be accepted for any reason.

In some districts, fake certificates regarding building safety, fire safety certificate, land conversion and other documents were allegedly uploaded online by the school managements. The DSEL then instructed the Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPI) to contact the department concerned and verify the authenticity of the certificates.

Objection of private schools

D. Shashikumar, general secretary of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), said that as the case relating to the submission of fire safety, building safety, and land conversion certificates for RR is still pending in the High Court, conditional RR should be given to private schools.

“Earlier, on September 6, 2024, a meeting of various departments was held headed by Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to the Government, and decision was taken on fire safety, building safety, and other issues. However, the authorities have not implemented them so far. In addition, another meeting was held on July 24, 2025, headed by Additional Chief Secretary to the government, Tushar Girinath, and a committee was ordered to be formed and revise the earlier orders of fire and building safety. However, the department has not taken any action to implement this,” said Mr. Shashikumar, adding that this could lead to the harassment of school managements.

Legislative committee

Meanwhile, MLC Puttanna has submitted a petition to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on October 10 this year to form a ‘Legislative Committee’ to resolve renewal recognition and other problems faced by private school managements that started before the year 2017-18.

The Chief Minister has instructed the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department to examine this request and take necessary action.

“I am happy that the Chief Minister has agreed to form a Legislative Committee. Therefore, conditional RR should be given to private schools until the committee submits its report,” Mr. Shashikumar urged.