Surat: A shocking case of negligence by the education department has come to light in Surat district, where students were granted admission under the Right to Education Act to a school that has been shut for years. The incident occurred in the Dindoli area, where parents filled out an online RTE admission form for their child and selected “South Indian Modern School” in the Deladwa village as their preferred institution. However, when the parent visited the school with their child, they found it locked and sealed with a bank notice displayed on the gate.
It was revealed that the school has been closed for a long time and has been issued a bank notice over unpaid dues amounting to Rs 1.66 crore. The bank has also sealed the school building. Yet, despite the school being non-functional, it was still listed as an option in the Right to Education system and was included in the admission process, raising serious questions about the oversight and verification mechanism in place.
District Education Officer Bhagirath Singh Parmar has ordered an inquiry into the matter and formed a special committee to investigate. The department has stated that if the school is not reopened and functional by June 2025, its accreditation will be revoked. Meanwhile, affected students will be relocated to other nearby recognised schools.
This incident highlights serious flaws in the education department’s system, especially regarding RTE admissions and school verification. Parents expressed anger and distress over the situation, demanding greater accountability and system improvements to prevent such lapses in the future.