Notices have been issued to two of the 23 unrecognised schools in the area under its jurisdiction following a direction from the office of the Deputy Director of Education which has asked for a report on both recognised and unrecognised schools and the action proposed to be taken. Over the last two weeks, the MBMC's Education Department issued notices to Prerana Vidyalaya, a Hindi-medium school in Bhayander (W) and St Teresa's School in Uttan, Bhayander (W), following a report in Express Newsline (June 16, 1998) which said that the 23 unrecognised schools had evolved an informal `transfer policy' to circumvent raids. According to the arrangement, the unauthorised institutions would temporarily shift their students to the 10-15 recognisd schools in the area recalling them once thedanger had passed, some of the trustees had told Express Newsline.

According to the MBMC's Education Officer, P Z Gawli, the school managements have responded to the notices ``promptly'' and the matter is also being pursued with the other institutions conducting classes since the last two years. The action follows a letter from the Deputy Director of Education to the MBMC's Education Department last week, asking for a detailed report on the number of recognised and unrecognised schools within the municipal limits. A civic official says the council has also been asked to state what action it proposes to take against the schools.

The signatures of the school owners or representatives on the list confirms that the notices have reached them. The schools have been given a fortnight's time to shift students elsewhere and shut down their schools, a civic official added. Though many of the schools have applied for registration, the Education Department is unlikely to entertain the applications. Moreover,with the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly scheduled for July 20, it is unlikely that permission will be granted till the year-end, sources add.