Government wants Private schools to stop using the word Public in their names

The Delhi Public School might have to get used to being called just Delhi School from now on. 

Private schools will not be allowed to use the word “public” in their names in any communication, documentation or declaration of status, said the National Education Policy (NEP) draft. This change will be mandatory by all private schools within the next three years. “Public” schools will only be those that are funded publicly, i.e., government schools (including schools run by any registered body of the State) and government-aided schools, added the draft.

"Regulation of private schools will be conducted within the same framework as public schools, and all policies will apply equally to public and private schools," the draft proposed. "The loading of regulatory requirements only against private schools should end with uniform requirements for all schools emphasising public disclosure on basic parameters." Existing private schools will have to go through the same regulatory regime and receive accreditation. "The criteria of assessment for accreditation and thus regulation will be objective, consistent, unobtrusive, and transparent and in line with those for public schools," it further added.

The policy was formed by an 11-member team, which was headed by the former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan. It was submitted to the new HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Friday, a few hours after he took charge. The committee was constituted in June 2017. The policy that is said to be inspired by India's heritage, presents 'A vision for the education system in India'.