Fri May 30 01:45:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Karnataka’s Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) is finally taking steps to regulate the largely unregulated pre-school sector in the state. For the first time, the government is mandating registration for all new pre-schools starting in the 2025-26 academic year through an online module. This move aims to address concerns about child safety, exorbitant fees, the lack of uniform standards, and the exploitation of parents. The DSEL order outlines requirements for registration, including infrastructure standards, safety certifications, and adherence to a play-based learning approach. However, questions remain about whether the regulations will apply to existing pre-schools and whether comprehensive standard operating procedures will be established to address various issues like fee regulation and curriculum uniformity. Stakeholders and parents are demanding more comprehensive oversight and protection for children in pre-schools.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka to Regulate Wild West of Pre-Schools: New Registration Mandate Aims to Protect Children, Standardize Care**
**Bengaluru, May 30, 2025** – In a move hailed by some as long overdue, the Karnataka government is cracking down on the largely unregulated pre-school sector. The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has issued an order mandating registration for all newly established pre-primary schools, including play homes, Montessori schools, and nurseries, starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over child safety, the lack of uniform standards, the exorbitant fees charged by many private pre-schools, and the absence of effective monitoring. Estimates suggest there are approximately 45,000 pre-schools across Karnataka, a significant number of which operate without any formal approval or oversight.
“From this year, registration of all pre-schools has been made mandatory,” stated K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner of Public Instruction. “We have developed a separate module on the Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS) portal for pre-schools to register, and it is mandatory for all new pre-schools to register.”
The new regulations stipulate minimum requirements for registration, including building standards (carpet area of one square meter per student, preferably on the ground floor with a playground), building fitness and fire safety certificates, and assurances of physical, personal, sexual, social, and emotional safety for children. The DSEL order also emphasizes the importance of play-based learning, aligning with expert recommendations against premature emphasis on writing.
While the move is being welcomed, questions remain about its scope. It’s currently unclear if the new regulations will apply to existing pre-schools, a concern voiced by many parents and educationists. Furthermore, stakeholders are urging the government to establish comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to address critical issues such as fee regulation, curriculum uniformity, and age-appropriate enrollment practices.
“Pre-schools have become a big business now, and they charge more than regular schools,” said Tanuja M., a Bengaluru parent. “The government should bring in fee regulation for private pre-schools.”
Safety concerns are also paramount. B.N. Yogananda, president of the Parents Association, noted that many pre-schools operate in unsuitable locations, lacking basic safety measures.
Experts emphasize the state’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, to ensure the safety and well-being of children in pre-school settings.
D. Shashikumar, general secretary of the Associated Managements of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), views the registration order as a positive first step towards addressing the existing issues, with more measures needed to bring oversight into the space.
The government’s move signals a shift towards greater accountability and protection for children in Karnataka’s pre-school system, but its ultimate effectiveness will depend on the enforcement of the new regulations and the development of comprehensive standards that address the multifaceted challenges facing the sector.
First Piper 