Playschools in Karnataka will now be regulated as it comes under the purview of the state’s Education Department.
The government’s move comes after the alleged sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year-old at a play school in Bengaluru two weeks ago.
The Karnataka government issued a notification on Wednesday stating that playschools including franchise nursery schools will come under the ambit of the education department.
According to an official at the Department of Public Instructions (DPI), the decision was made after eight FIRs were filed at the HAL Police Station.
The official said that playschools were not under the control of the state government after allegations of corruption against officials in the DPI in 2006.
“The Department of Women and Child Welfare have no influence or control over the playschools and hence it is becoming difficult to ensure the safety of children. Talks are on to bring them under the DPI’s fold,” the official added.
The DPI website will have options for admissions to different play schools. Franchise-based playschools will have to apply for permission online and admissions will be allowed after site inspection, the official added.
On February 17, the parents of a three-and-a-half-year-old child attending the playschool had filed a sexual assault complaint against a school administrator V Manjunath.
Following this, seven other children came forward and filed complaints against Manjunath and also owner and prime centre coordinator Dr Veena Ashok, a class teacher named Ayesha and another administrator Preetha.
Parents of children alleged that Manjunath was present when the children’s clothes were being changed and also entered the washroom with the children.
Totally seven FIRs have been filed till date under relevant sections of POCSO.