Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya in Surat Accused of Misleading Government for School Approval

Surat : Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya, located in Devashish Society in Surat’s Mora Bhagal, finds itself embroiled in a serious controversy as allegations surface of the school misleading the state government by submitting falsified information to obtain approval. Dikshant Ishwar Patel has lodged a representation with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB), urging the cancellation of Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya’s permission for deceptive practices that have misled the education board.

The matter centers around an affidavit submitted to the GSEB on March 19, 2015, wherein the secretary of Gurukrupa Education and Welfare Trust made an unlawful attempt to mislead the board. In the affidavit, the trust claimed ownership of the school building and playground, seeking approval for the establishment of a new secondary and higher secondary school.

Further scrutiny reveals discrepancies in the information provided by the Gurukrupa management. In the school registration form submitted to the GSEB on July 29, 2015, the management provided details of a playground measuring 4,353 square meters. However, investigations have uncovered that the mentioned playground is actually located 11 kilometers away from Surat. Moreover, in the online application for school approval, Gurukrupa management falsely stated that the sports ground is merely 200 meters from the school.

These instances clearly indicate a deliberate attempt by Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya to mislead authorities for the purpose of obtaining school approval. According to GSEB regulations, urban schools must have a minimum sports ground area of 800 square meters, while schools in rural areas require a minimum of 1,500 square meters. It is evident that the school management provided false information to meet these requirements during the approval process.

Recent judgments by the Gujarat High Court have emphasized the necessity of sports grounds in schools. No school can function without a sports ground, and this requirement is non-negotiable. It appears that the government was deceived by inaccurate information provided during the approval process.

In addition to the misleading information, Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya is also facing allegations of non-compliance with government regulations. Private schools, according to government regulations under the Right to Education Act (R.T.E.), must adhere to specific admission rules. However, administrators at Gurukrupa Vidyalaya have reportedly failed to abide by these rules. Furthermore, the construction of Gurukrupa Vidyalaya does not conform to government guidelines, and the school operates in a residential area. These matters require thorough investigation to ensure compliance with established regulations.

Currently, education activities take place on the first floor of the Gurukrupa Vidyalaya building, while a dispensary operates on the ground floor. Such mixing of functions within the premises raises concerns about the suitability and appropriateness of the school’s operations.

The allegations against Gurukrupa Vidhyalaya, if proven true, underscore the gravity of the situation. Misleading the government, providing false information, and flouting regulations are serious offenses that compromise the integrity of the education system. It is imperative that the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board thoroughly investigate these allegations and take appropriate action to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.

The well-being and education of students should always be the top priority, and any compromises in this regard must be addressed promptly. It is essential for the authorities to ensure that schools operate within the confines of the law and uphold the values of honesty, fairness, and educational excellence.