FFRC wakes up to unchecked expansion of crèches into kindergarten classes
Srinagar, Nov 20: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) has tightened the noose against the creches operating in Kashmir over the illegal expansion of the preparatory schools to kindergarten classes.
In a fresh circular issued by the FFRC, the chairman Justice (retd) Suil Hali has said complaints were pouring in against some creches that have started imparting education up to Pre-Nursery, Nursery and UKG, students.
“A creche is a place where small children are looked after while their parents are working. The creche is not subject to the domain of the Committee. However, if the owners of the creche extend it to impart education for Pre-Nursery, Nursery, and UKG, they are squarely covered by the J&K School Education Act and rules,” reads a fresh circular issued by the FFRC chairman.
The circular reads that such an establishment is a school as defined under the J&K School Education Act, 2002.
“It is mandatory that all those institutions which impart education up to UKG are required to obtain permission and recognition from the government,” it reads.
The FFRC circular states that the creches, if imparting education up to UKG, are also required to submit their files for the regulation of their fee.
“As per the J&K School Education Rules, 2010, they are required to seek recognition from the competent authority and submit their files for regulation of their fee,” it reads.
The FFRC circular reads that complaints have been received that those who establish a creche extend the same by permitting students to join Pre-Nursery to UKG for the purpose of imparting education in the same establishment.
“It is further stated that these establishments, under the subterfuge of showing that it is a creche, are imparting education up to Upper UKG., As such, they are subject to the J&K School Education Act and rules and are also required to submit their files for regulating their fee structure,” it reads.
The FFRC has directed that all these schools that have established creches but are also imparting education up to UKG to submit their files for regulating their fee structure.
“They are also directed to seek proper permission and recognition from the competent authority. They shall do so within a period of 15 days from the date of publication of the notice,” it reads.
These institutions have been warned of action in case of failure to comply with the direction.
“Non-compliance will result in action being taken in accordance with the law. The concerned CEO shall provide a list of such creche-cum-schools functioning in their jurisdiction to this office through a proper channel within a period of seven days,” it reads.
