25,000 centres and 4.5 lakh jobs at risk due to Karnataka's new preschool rules

New rules for preschools in Karnataka could put more than 25,000 centres and the livelihoods of approximately 4.5 lakh women at risk across the state. According to a report by PTI, the Karnataka Council of Preschools (KCPS) has requested the state government to review these rules.

The Council stated that administrative directives, including the circular and detailed instructions issued in 2019, are such that they are more favourable to large educational institutions. These rules are difficult to comply with for preschools operating in small and residential areas. If these independent preschools close, the employment of approximately 4.5 lakh women, including teachers, caregivers, and support staff, could be lost.

Key challenges announced by the Council include the requirement of a 30-year registered lease for rented residential spaces. Additionally, conditions have been set that classroom dimensions must be 18 feet by 20 feet, land must be used for educational purposes, and there must be a minimum of 2,000 square feet of space. According to KCPS, these conditions do not take into account the ground reality of small early childhood care and education centres operating in residential neighbourhoods.

The rules could make early childhood education expensive for middle-class families. The Council claimed that if independent centres have to close, competition will decrease and fees could increase fivefold. Furthermore, the closure of these centres will also affect working mothers, as they rely on affordable childcare facilities near their homes. In such a situation, some working mothers might have to reconsider their jobs.

Concerns have also been expressed regarding the preschool registration portal. The Council alleged that this portal is not accessible to the general public and can only be used through the offices of Block Education Officers. The Council has requested the government to restore public access to a transparent and functional online registration portal.

KCPS has requested the Education Minister and the state government to constitute a high-level committee to review and simplify the rules. The Council also demanded that instead of applying rules meant for institutions from kindergarten to Class 12, a separate framework should be prepared for independent preschools. The Council has also demanded an immediate stay on the current requirements for buildings, leases, and land conversion until a proper regulatory framework is presented.

According to the PTI report, the Council stated, "We are here to protect our children's future, the dignity of our women workers, and the pockets of our parents. The government will have to choose—progress or destruction."

The Council has appealed to the state government to provide relaxations in the current rules and introduce a separate regulatory system to protect independent preschools, their employees, and families dependent on neighbourhood childcare services.

The Karnataka Council of Preschools (KCPS) was an organisation working to protect the interests of the preschool sector.