TMC issues closure notice to 81 unauthorised English medium schools in Thane, affecting over 18,000 students | Representative Image
Mumbai: In a move aimed at enforcing educational standards and ensuring student safety, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has issued a formal notice mandating the closure of 81 unauthorised English medium schools operating within the Thane district. The directive requires all such schools to cease operations by the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.
The municipal authorities have also formed a dedicated task force to oversee the execution of this directive. The task force is responsible for coordinating with parents and facilitating the smooth transfer of affected students to nearby recognised educational institutions.
According to Uttam Sawant, President of the Thane unit of the Maharashtra English School Trustees Association, these schools have been functioning without legal sanction for the past three years. “We had been fighting for this cause for a long time, but finally the municipal corporation has taken a stand and initiated action against the schools,” said Sawant.
He explained that many of these institutions began as private tuition classes and gradually evolved into full-fledged schools, all while bypassing mandatory certification and approval from government authorities. “A total of above 18,000 students have been admitted in these 81 schools over the years,” he added.
Sawant emphasised the importance of student safety and accountability, noting that in the event of any untoward incident, no individual or institution could be held responsible due to the schools’ unregistered status. “It is a matter of security for so many students,” he stated, urging for the immediate transfer of students to recognised schools.
The notice warns that under no circumstances should these unauthorised schools continue to operate in the 2025-26 academic year. “Once the annual examination of the current academic year is over, you should admit all the students from your school to the nearby recognised schools and immediately close your unauthorised school until you get government approval. Otherwise, it should be noted that further administrative and criminal action will be taken as per government rules,” read the notice.
Sawant concluded by asserting that if the administration fails to act decisively and enforce the closures, the association would not hesitate to seek judicial intervention. “If the authorities are not able to shut down these unauthorised schools even this year, we will go to the court to ask for intervention,” he warned.
