Pune: Marathon International School in Manjari is under scrutiny for operating without proper authorization, prompting the District Primary Education Officer to order immediate legal action.

The directive, issued to the Group Education Officer of Haveli, follows multiple complaints against the school, including allegations of document forgery, physical punishment of students, and financial exploitation.

During the investigation, the school claimed it had approval from the Deputy Director of Education, submitting documents to support its claim. However, verification by the Education Department revealed the documents to be fraudulent.

Primary Education Officer Sanjay Naikade conducted a hearing involving the school management and complainants. The school was given 15 days to produce original documents verified by the ministry. However, it failed to submit the required paperwork within the deadline.

In response to the findings, the Education Department has begun the process of filing a criminal case against the school. Additionally, regional education officers have been instructed to inspect all schools in their respective areas and submit immediate reports regarding their recognition status, infrastructure, and safety compliance.

The Education Department emphasizes its commitment to ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding the interests of students and parents.

“Notices were issued, an inquiry was conducted, and a hearing was held. Despite being granted time to submit original documents, the school failed to comply. Based on evidence of fake recognition documents, legal action has been initiated,” said Sanjay Naikade, Primary Education Officer, Zilla Parishad.