The Tamil Nadu Nursery, Primary, Matriculation Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association has levelled serious allegations against the previous DMK government, claiming that more than ₹300 crore was collected as bribes from private schools over the past five years for granting recognition renewals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), as reported in Dinamalar.
Addressing the media, the association’s State General Secretary Nandakumar alleged that during the DMK regime, private schools could obtain renewal of recognition and NOCs only if they paid substantial sums of money. He alleged that schools that did not pay bribes faced difficulties in securing approvals from the School Education Department.
According to Nandakumar, the situation changed after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government assumed office, with recognition approvals allegedly being granted without any illegal payments.
He further alleged that CBSE schools were particularly targeted and that approvals were routinely linked to monetary demands. According to him, as much as ₹35 lakh was collected from individual schools in exchange for granting recognition.
Nandakumar stated that the total amount collected from private schools across Tamil Nadu for recognition-related approvals exceeded ₹300 crore during the previous five-year period.
Bribes Allegedly Collected Through Private Firm In Chennai
Making further allegations, Nandakumar stated that the bribe money was collected through a private company operating in Chennai’s T. Nagar area. He alleged that payments were routed through the firm rather than being collected directly through official channels.
The association also alleged that a separate system existed for collecting money from schools seeking approvals. According to Nandakumar, during the final two years of the DMK government, money was allegedly collected from within the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) complex in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
He stated that while the office of the School Education Director functioned on the first floor of the building, a separate room on the second floor was allegedly used for collecting bribes from school managements seeking approvals and renewals.
Allegations Against Former Minister’s Associate
Nandakumar further alleged that district-level approvals were influenced by individuals close to the then School Education Minister. He alleged that Muthukumar, who served as Vice-Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association and was allegedly a close associate of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, played a key role in the approval process.
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According to the allegations, recognition approvals were granted only after clearance from Muthukumar, and officials across all 38 districts allegedly acted based on his instructions. Nandakumar further alleged that district education officials also received a share of the money collected from schools.
Schools Allegedly Forced To Fund Government Events
Apart from recognition-related allegations, the association also accused the previous government of forcing private schools to contribute financially to official events.
Nandakumar alleged that during the “Pettrorai Kondaaduvom” (Let Us Celebrate Parents) conference organised under the Parent-Teacher Association, every private school was reportedly compelled to contribute between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh towards the publication of conference souvenirs.
He also alleged that vehicles belonging to private schools were forcibly requisitioned for DMK public meetings and political events. According to him, the schools themselves were made to bear the fuel and operational expenses incurred for such deployments.
The Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association has called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and action against those allegedly involved in the collection of bribes and misuse of administrative authority.
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