The Karnataka Council of Pre-Schools has urged the state government to review regulations for standalone preschools, warning that existing building, lease and land-use requirements could threaten more than 25,000 centres across Karnataka and affect the livelihoods of around 4.5 lakh women.
In an appeal issued on Wednesday, the council said administrative directives, including a circular and detailed instructions issued in 2019, had created compliance conditions that small, neighbourhood-based preschools found difficult to meet. The council’s concerns cover centres operating from rented residential premises and serving families close to where they live.
Among the requirements highlighted by the council are a 30-year registered lease for rented residential properties, classroom dimensions of 18 feet by 20 feet, conversion of land for educational use and a minimum area of 2,000 square feet. KCPS said these conditions were more suited to large educational institutions operating from dedicated campuses than to standalone early childhood care and education centres.
The council also raised concerns about access to the preschool registration portal. It alleged that the portal was not accessible to the general public and could be accessed only through the offices of Block Education Officers. KCPS has asked the government to restore public access to a functional and transparent online registration system.
According to the council, possible closures would affect teachers, caretakers and support staff, with women making up a significant part of the workforce it estimates could be affected. It also said the loss of neighbourhood childcare centres could create difficulties for working mothers who rely on affordable preschool facilities located close to their homes.
KCPS further claimed that closures could reduce competition and increase fees for families. It said fees could rise by as much as five times if standalone centres were forced to shut, although the claim was made by the council as part of its appeal and no government assessment of the potential increase was cited in the report.
The council has asked the Education minister and the state government to establish a high-level committee to review and simplify the regulations governing standalone preschools. It has proposed a separate framework for these centres instead of applying norms intended for K-12 institutions.
KCPS has also sought an immediate stay on the existing building, lease and land-conversion requirements until a revised framework is prepared. In its appeal, the council said the government must choose between what it described as progress and the possible extinction of smaller preschool operators. The next step sought by the body is a government decision on its request for a regulatory review and interim relief.
