Children’s studies will not stop; the Bombay High Court has granted relief to 14 schools until March 2027.
Mumbai. The Bombay High Court has granted major relief to 14 unrecognised schools in the Malvani area of Malad West, Mumbai. The court has allowed these schools to continue classes until the end of the current academic session 2026-27, that is, until 31 March 2027. The court said it would not be appropriate to suddenly remove more than 1,000 children from disadvantaged and economically weaker families from their schools. Children’s education should not be disrupted in the middle of the session.
Expressing concern over the children’s future, a bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said during the hearing that it was not in the interest of young children studying in Classes 1 to 4 to be suddenly shifted from one school to another. The court observed that children and teachers cannot be removed overnight. The process of transition should be gradual so that students’ studies are not affected.
During the hearing, the BMC told the court that notices had been issued to these schools since 2019. The court questioned why effective action had not been taken for so many years. Many of these schools have been operating since 2009. The court said children should not have to suffer the consequences of administrative delay.
The High Court made it clear that permission to complete the academic session does not mean the schools have been granted permanent freedom to operate without government recognition. All schools will have to apply to the BMC for the required permission and recognition while meeting the prescribed educational and infrastructure standards. The minimum educational qualifications of teachers will also have to be ensured.
The court said that if the schools do not receive recognition under the rules, they will not be allowed to continue operations from June 2027. The next hearing in the matter will be held on 15 January 2027.
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