Anjuman-e-Islam Trust criticized for running 'fake' school; Management denied the allegation

Mumbai: Anjuman-e-Islam Trust is under investigation for allegedly operating a fake school named “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” between 2014-15 and 2018-19. However, the management has denied this allegation.

At the behest of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), BMC's South Mumbai education inspector investigated allegations made by a parent and Nitin Dalvi of Maharashtra State Student Guardian against the trust-run school. Teachers Federation.

Education Inspector Gajanan Mandade, in his investigation report (NBTV has a copy), pointed out that the school leaving certificates (SLCs) for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020 showed the name of the school as “Anjuman-e-Islam High School ” It has been told. ,

However, in the 2017 and 2018 certificates it is stated as “Anjuman-e-Islam Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School”. The website of the institute advertised admissions under “Anjuman-e-Islam High School”, while some pages of the school diary mentioned “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” for the academic years 2022–23 and 2024–25. The name of the institution is listed as “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” in the examination mark sheets of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The name change was not approved by the government, and administrative omissions were identified.

The report concluded that it was the responsibility of then principal Sabina Zaveri to submit a proposal for the name change and obtain the necessary approvals. However, this process was not completed. Unauthorized use of the new name on official documents and website is a violation of the rules.

The institute's management has also been criticized for failing to address the issue in a timely and appropriate manner. Mandade has sought immediate clarification from the President and Secretary of Anjuman-e-Islam Trust regarding these irregularities.

According to the report, leaving certificates bearing the name of “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” were issued to students even though such school was unrecognized. The report said: “This is a serious issue as it has a direct impact on the validity of students' certificates and their future opportunities.”

In response to an RTI application made by a parent, the Education Department confirmed that “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” does not exist in the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) database.

Despite this, it continues to be listed in brochures, the institution's website and other materials, Dalvi alleged. He said, “What will happen to those students who have obtained their certificates from fake schools? They are at risk of losing their jobs and careers when their organization checks their education certificates.”

Concerned parent Zahid Hussain Idrisi initially referred the issue to the South Mumbai Education Inspector's office. He claimed that “Badruddin Tayyabji Urdu High School” was not officially registered, while the institution was running under the name “Anjuman-e-Islam High School”. Idrisi further alleged that unregistered names appeared on report cards and SLCs.

However, Anjuman-e-Islam Board Chairman Zaheer Qazi has denied the allegations. Speaking to the NewBharat TV, he said, “These allegations are completely fake. The complaint is fake and our department is dealing with the matter. Nothing will come out of it. The school has been running since 1872, how can it be fake ” , They are just saying that the school is running under this name or that name, no matter what the name is, how can any name make a school that has been running for centuries fake?”

In 2019, an investigation led by the then Deputy Education Inspector, Rajendra Ahire, concluded that the then school principal Zaveri had mistakenly used the name as a tribute to founding member Badruddin Tyabji. Zaveri had apologized saying that the name was used internally and assured that it would not be repeated. However, recent claims by Dalvi suggest that the name continues to appear in official materials.

Dalvihas called for an investigation into the number of students obtaining certificates under alleged fake school names. Besides, a complaint has also been lodged with Mumbai Police.