Bhubaneswar, Sep 11: In a decisive move to uphold the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Directorate of Primary Education in Odisha has issued a stern directive targeting private schools operating without proper authorization.

The department has warned of strict action against institutions that have failed to obtain recognition or renew their licenses as mandated under the RTE Act, 2009.

According to the official letter circulated by the Directorate, private schools functioning without valid permission or renewal will face serious consequences, including closure and legal proceedings.

The directive emphasizes that such unauthorized operations violate the fundamental rights of children and compromise educational standards.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the Directorate has instructed all private schools to submit detailed information about their operational status, recognition certificates, and compliance with RTE norms. The deadline for submission has been set for September 15, and failure to comply may result in punitive measures.

This crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the mushrooming of unregulated private schools across the state, many of which allegedly deny admission to students from economically weaker sections despite the mandatory 25% reservation under the RTE Act.

The Directorate’s action is part of a broader effort to streamline the education system and reinforce legal compliance among private institutions. Officials have assured that recognized schools adhering to RTE guidelines will not be affected.