Kerala HC orders closure of a private school teaching the Quran to children

Court holds that imparting religious education without statutory recognition is impermissible under law

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – The Kerala High Court directed the closure of a private educational institute in Thrissur District which was teaching Quran to nearly 300 children without obtaining statutory recognition. The Court held that the institution was functioning in contravention of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education.

The Bench recorded that inspections conducted by the competent authorities revealed that the school was operating without valid recognition from the State Government. While ordering closure, the Court permitted the institution to continue till the end of the academic year 2025-26, observing that such time was necessary to enable students and parents to make alternative arrangements, after which the institution shall cease operations.

The Court observed that :

1. The institution was in clear violation of Section 18 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The Bench emphasised that securing recognition from the State Government is a statutory precondition for the lawful operation of any school.

2. The contention of the management that it possessed recognition from the National Institute of Open Schooling was rejected. The High Court held that such recognition cannot substitute or override the mandatory requirement of recognition under the RTE (Right to Education) Act.

3. The Court further held that even assuming recognition under the RTE framework, no school can impart exclusive religious education of a particular faith without express authorisation in accordance with law. In view of these findings, the Bench concluded that the institution was not being run in accordance with statutory requirements and that its closure was legally warranted.