473 private schools told to shut down in Punjab

Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka today said 473 private schools, which did not implement the provisions of Right to Education Act, have been asked to shut down.
"Schools which yet not implemented the provisions of RTE Act have been asked to wind up their functioning immediately," a release quoting Maluka said.
Nearly 37,813 affected students of these schools could get admissions in the government schools, the Minister said.
These private schools had been given a deadline till March 31 to fulfil all the norms, he said.
The Education minister said a fine of Rs 1 lakh would be imposed on the schools which do not follow the government order and continue their operations.

Instructions have been issued to Director General School Education to ensure the closure of these schools, he said.
The district education officers have been directed to ensure the admission of affected students in the nearby government schools in consultation with their parents, the Minister said.