Kerala High Court Orders Closure of Unrecognised School Teaching Quran-Based Subjects

The Kerala High Court has ordered the closure of a private school in Thrissur for functioning without mandatory State recognition under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The Court held that imparting Quran-based religious instruction without approval from the State government was impermissible, even if the institution had other forms of accreditation. 

Justice Harisankar V Menon relied on earlier precedent to reiterate that schools requiring recognition cannot operate or teach religious subjects without statutory permission. 

However, considering students’ interests, the Court allowed the school to function until the end of the 2025–26 academic year to enable alternative arrangements.

[Moithunnykutty v. The District Collector & Ors.]