IN a significant development, a reply received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Dr. Vedprakash Tiwari, Advocate, High Court, has revealed that the Education Officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Sujata Khare, has formally written to the Director of Education (Primary), Pune, recommending cancellation of the recognition of Michael High School, Kurla, run by the Catholic Education Society.
According to the information provided in the RTI response, the recommendation is based on a detailed inspection report submitted by the Office of the Education Officer, North Mumbai. The report highlights several major violations by the school, including non-compliance with the Secondary School Code No. 13.1 and 13.1(a) concerning the permissible number of students.
The inspection further notes that the school has been admitting students disproportionate to the available infrastructure, in violation of Section 19 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Rules, 2011. Serious lapses were also recorded regarding the appointment of teachers who do not possess the minimum qualifications mandated under Section 23(1) of the RTE Rules, 2011.
Additionally, the school was found to be non-compliant with the standards and norms laid down under Sections 12(3) and 18(3) of the RTE Rules, 2011, which pertain to essential operational requirements for recognized educational institutions.
The RTI reply also confirms that earlier, on 14 July 2025, the Education Inspector (North Mumbai) had already recommended cancellation of the school’s recognition by sending a report to higher education authorities.
In a parallel development, a matter is currently pending before the Office of the Charity Commissioner regarding alleged misappropriation of funds by the management of the same school. Dr. Vedprakash Tiwari is the complainant in that proceeding.
Further action from the Directorate of Education, Pune, is awaited.