Classes to start by July 1, Mumbai school assures parents day after ‘unauthorised’ notice over OC chaos

Mumbai: Orchids International School’s Sion branch will restart physical classes by July 1 or earlier, the management told parents on Thursday, a day after the education inspector (north) pasted a notice outside the campus declaring the school "unauthorised” over pending approvals, triggering panic among families just days before the new academic year.The school has informed parents that online classes will begin from June 15 until permissions for regular physical operations are finalised. Parents, however, said they remain anxious and are waiting for the notice outside the school to be removed before feeling reassured.“Don’t know yet what to do,” said a parent. “Once the notice from the front of the school is removed, we will get some reassurance. We are not looking for any admissions yet. The school has said that they will start online classes from the 15th of this month and then try to start physical classes by July 1 or earlier.”The uncertainty follows action by the education inspector against the Sion branch on Wednesday, after authorities flagged issues related to approvals and told parents to start seeking admissions elsewhere. Several parents had rushed to the school seeking clarity after the notice appeared outside the campus.Rahul Gharte, operations manager for the school, said: “Schools have to apply for recognition and approval every three years. This year, while applying, there was a change in the norms under which schools were also required to submit the building’s occupation certificate (OC). To obtain the OC, we first needed a fire department NOC. The fire department subsequently suggested certain structural changes and improvements, which took some time to carry out. After completing those changes, we received the fire NOC for the building and have now reapplied to the education department with all the necessary permissions and documents for recognition.”Parents said the biggest concern was the uncertainty so close to the reopening of schools, especially after most families had already completed admissions and paid fees. Many said they are now awaiting a Sunday meeting organised by the school management for what to do ahead.