Kalaimagal Nursery and Primary School, v. The Director of Private Schools,

ORDER The present writ petition has been filed for a direction to first respondent/Director of Private Schools-to process the proposal/recommendation forwarded

by

second

respondent

(DEO,

Ariyalur)

vide Ref.Na.Ka.No.0313/A1/2026, dated 15.05.2026, consider petitioner's application for upgradation of Kalaimagal Nursery and Primary School, from a Primary School (LKG to Standard V) to a Middle School (LKG to Standard VIII) and pass appropriate orders thereon in terms of G.O.(Ms) No.51, School Education (MS) Department, dated 02.03.2026 and Rule 8-A of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 2023, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶2Petitioner would submit that second respondent/District Educational Officer, Ariyalur after inspecting the school premises on 07.05.2025 and on verifying and being satisfied that petitioner school had complied with all prescribed norms under Annexure-111 to Rule 8(6)(a) of the Rules, forwarded a favourable recommendation/proposal to first respondent/Director of Private Schools vide proceedings in Ref.Na.Ka.No.0313/A1/2026, dated 15.05.2026, Page3 of 6 recommending grant of permission for upgradation. He would submit that despite the aforesaid recommendation having been duly forwarded by second respondent, first respondent has not passed any order on the proposal till date, without any justification, causing grave prejudice to petitioner and particularly, to the children admitted under the 25% RTE quota under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, who stand to lose continuity of elementary education upon completing Standard V, if the school is not upgraded.

¶3Learned counsel for petitioner would submit that in the absence of recognition, there is an imminent danger of petitioner being found to be in infraction of Section 5 and 12 (1)(c) of the Right to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

¶4Learned Government Advocate for respondents would submit that they would consider petitioner's application on its own merits and pass orders, in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court, which was agreed to by learned counsel for petitioner.

¶5In view thereof, there shall be a direction to first respondent, to consider petitioner's application dated 30.04.2026 on its own merits, taking into account second respondent's recommendation dated 15.05.2026 and pass Page4 of 6 appropriate orders, in accordance with law, after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to petitioner, within a period of ten weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any views with regard to the merits of the case.

¶6Accordingly, writ petition stands disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.

07-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MRN To

¶1The Director Of Private Schools, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College road, Chennai – 600006.

¶2The District Educational Officer Ariyalur, Ariyalur District. Page5 of 6

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. MRN 07-07-2026 Page6 of 6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Kalaimangal Nursery and Primary School, Represented by its Corrspondent, P Ananthavalli, Thirumazhapadi, Thirumanur Union, Ariyalur District-621 851. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Director of Private Schools, Directorate of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai – 600006. 2. The District Educational Officer, Ariyalur, Ariyalur District. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing first respondent/Director of Private Schools-to process the proposal/recommendation forwarded by second respondent (DEO, Ariyalur) vide Ref.Na.Ka.No.0313/A1/2026, dated 15.05.2026, consider petitioner's application for upgradation of Kalaimagal Nursery and Primary School from a primary school (LKG to Standard V) to a Middle School (LKG to Standard VIII) and pass appropriate orders thereon in terms of G.O.(Ms) No.51, School Education (MS) Department, dated 02.03.2026 and Rule 8-A of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Rules, 2023, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court. Page2 of 6 For Petitioner(s): Mr.E.Vijay Anand For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Elayaraj Kumar for Government