Thane: MESTA warns of protests over 65 unauthorised schools, demands TMC action | Representative Photo
Mumbai: The Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) has demanded closure of 65 alleged “illegal” schools operating in Thane district and threatened to protest by keeping authorised schools in the district closed from December 23 until the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) provides written proof of action taken against “unauthorised schools”.
The TMC has come under criticism for its inability to shut down unauthorised schools operating in its jurisdiction, with education stakeholders raising concerns over the government’s inaction.
According to MESTA, currently, 65 unauthorised schools are functioning in Thane district, up from 40 last year, with no significant measures taken to curb their operations.
Sanjayrao Tayade Patil, president of MESTA, said the issue is widespread. “There are 65 illegal schools operating only in Thane district. Across the state, the number of such schools will be at least 5,000. The TMC had written a letter to various police stations to register FIRs against these schools, but the police are yet to even start their investigations,” he told the Free Press Journal.
Patil warned that delays could complicate matters further as the next admission cycle approaches, leaving authorities with excuses to avoid action. “It is the state government’s duty to transfer their admissions to nearby legal schools,” he added.
Uttam Sawant, joint secretary for Thane district, MESTA, criticised the lack of coordination between the municipal corporation and the police. “They started the schools without permission. Till last year, the number of such schools was 40, and even then, the TMC had written to the police to register FIRs against them. While no action was taken, another 25 schools began operating this year without obtaining the required permissions,” he told FPJ.
Sawant highlighted systemic inefficiencies, saying, “The TMC says they can only issue letters to schools to close their operations but do not have the rights to shut down a school. That’s why they write to the police to register FIRs. On the other hand, the police say it’s the TMC’s job to shut the schools, claiming they cannot take direct action against schools and hospitals. This bureaucratic deadlock allows these illegal schools to continue functioning.”
Sachin Pawar, Deputy Commissioner (Education) at TMC, had issued a statement referencing a letter from MESTA in August this year, acknowledging the publication of unauthorised schools’ names in newspapers and the issuance of fine notices. He added that action is being taken as per Government Resolution No. 2009 (913/09) dated 19th June 2010 and that the process of penalising these schools is ongoing. However, MESTA remains unconvinced.
In a letter to the TMC, MESTA also announced its plan to stop undertaking certain government-mandated tasks, including U-DISE data entry, RTE school registration, SSC board paper checking, and election duty, citing the government’s failure to address the issue of illegal schools from January 1, 2025.
“The government’s apathy sends a wrong message. Schools feel emboldened to operate without permissions, believing that neither the municipal corporation nor the police will act against them,” Sawant said.
