Wed Jan 08 16:40:03 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Schools Defy Rules, Begin Admissions Early

**Bengaluru, January 8, 2025** – Private schools and pre-university colleges in Karnataka are flouting regulations by starting admissions for the 2025-26 academic year months ahead of the official schedule, sparking outrage among parents. Several elite institutions began accepting applications as early as September 2024, completing the process by November and demanding fees by January 30, 2025.

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) is not expected to release the official admission schedule until after the current academic year ends on April 10th. However, this yearly violation continues, with schools openly advertising deadlines and entrance exams on their websites.

Parents accuse both the government of negligence and private institutions of greed, citing the detrimental effects of this early admission process. The pressure to secure seats, often involving advance fees, creates unhealthy competition and disadvantages students from less privileged backgrounds. One parent, Malathi, emphasized the exploitation of parents and the need for government intervention to curb this practice. Another anonymous parent described being pressured by their child’s school to pay advance fees to secure a place in the next grade, facing the threat of losing a seat otherwise.

Padmanabha, a resident of Chamarajpet, pointed out that the lack of adherence to roster rules in these private institutions prevents socially and economically backward children from accessing quality education. He further attributed the problem to the 2019 amendment to the Right to Education Act, which removed many Bengaluru schools from the neighbourhood school list.

The Karnataka State Private Schools and Colleges Parents’ Association Coordination Committee plans to file a petition with the Chief Minister, demanding legal action against the offending institutions. While some schools justify their actions by citing parental demand and upcoming entrance exams, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Commissioner, K.V. Trilokchandra, stated that officials have been instructed to investigate and take appropriate action against schools that have violated regulations. The situation underscores the ongoing conflict between parental pressure, institutional practices, and the regulatory framework in Karnataka’s education system.

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