Trouble for 10 schools in Mumbai as state govt issues notice over their minority status

South Mumbai is known for its several elite educational institutions, many of which are run by minority communities. But some of them have come under Maharashtra government’s scanner for not adhering to the minority status in its admission policy. The state government has issued show-cause notices to 10 minority status schools in South Mumbai for reportedly not admitting a single minority student in the last three years against the required 51%.The notice states that their minority status could be cancelled as a result. [caption id=“attachment_2292646” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational Image. AFP[/caption] Minority Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse was quoted by a  Times of India report as saying, “We have started to revoke the minority status of the institutions which do not follow the norms.” According to the report received by the primary education department, “these 10 schools have zero percent ratio of the community based admission since last three years,” Khadse added. Khadse also said that, “In minority schools, 51% seats are reserved for minority students and they have to compulsorily fill that. If they are unable to do so, those seats should be handed over to the state government. The state can fill them on the basis of merit by conducting a common entrance test. However, we have observed that most minority schools and colleges were not following this,” according to a report by DNA. The minority status schools in South Mumbai that have reportedly been issued the notice are The School of Sacred Heart, Byculla (Christian), Bai Ratanbai F Pavri High School, Grant road (Parsi), Shri Premji Devji Kanya Vidyalaya, Chinchpokali (Jain/Gujarati), Bai BS Bangali Girls High School (Parsi), SK Ajay Jain High school, Marine Line (Parsi), Dunne’s Institute, Kala Ghoda (Parsi), Kenia and Anchor High School, Chinchpokali (Jain/Gujarati), The Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort (Christian), Christ Church School, Byculla (Christian) and Christ Church School, Byculla (Christian) as per the  DNA  report. Apart from these schools about 75 minority educational institutions have violated the prescribed terms and conditions. However, the principal of The Cathedral & John Connon School, Fort, Meera Isaacs, was quoted by The Indian Express saying “We do give priority to students from the minority community. There is no question of zero intake of minority students in the last three years. It is appalling that they are claiming this.” At the same time, Carl Laurie, principal of Christ Church High School, Byculla, told The Times of India , “We received a notice about two months ago and we have replied to it. The student strength from the minority community is about 20-30% of the total strength. In a city like Mumbai it is impossible to get 50% Christian students. There are also around 15 Christian minority schools in South Mumbai. We admit all students from the community who come to our school.” With the new academic year set to begin this month, it remains to be seen what impact the government’s diktat will have on the schools. Incidentally, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ daughter is also a student at The Cathedral and John Connon School, one of the schools that has been issued the notice.