The High Court has issued a rule asking why legal action should not be taken against 33,614 unregistered private primary schools across the country in accordance with the law.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice SM Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud issued the rule following the hearing of a writ petition.
The court has directed the respondents, including secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, and director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, to respond to the rule.
Advocate Md Kawsar Hossain, who represented the petitioner, said according to information provided by director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, there are 34,612 private primary schools across the country, of which only 998 are registered.
This clearly indicates that the remaining 33,614 schools are operating without registration.
Advocate Hossain pointed out that the registration of primary schools is governed by The Registration of Private School Ordinance. Section 3 of the Ordinance stipulates that no private primary school can be operated without registration.
Under the law, any violation of this provision warrants the closure of the school and punitive action against those involved.
He added that although a formal letter had been sent to the relevant authorities drawing their attention to the situation, they failed to take any action, which ultimately prompted the filing of the writ petition with the High Court.
