Why Some Private Schools Call Themselves Public Schools

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One comes across the names of many schools, some of them very prominent ones, which incorporate the words “Public Schools”. When we use the word ‘Public’ for organizations, it usually means they are state owned. Take for example the government banks are called Public Sector Banks or say some manufacturing units or companies which are called Public Sector Units (PSUs). Imagine if we call the ICICI Bank as ICICI Public Bank or HDFC Public Bank. This sounds so illogical. Then why XX Public School?

Logically schools that are funded by the government or by the community should only be called ‘Public Schools.’ This perception that ‘Public Schools’ only provide good education must be demolished.

Today, anyone can open a school and call itself a Public School. No doubt there are many Public Schools whose students give excellent results and score high in the board examinations and specialized entrance examinations. But, then, there are many who try to build their brand calling itself a ‘Public School’ with little infrastructure or team of good teachers.

Even in smaller towns one would not be surprised to find many schools which call themselves Public Schools.

Trying to find out what’s the practice in USA came across this in Wikipedia :

“Education in the United States is provided by public, private and home schools.” (This clearly gives the different categories and public and private are separate.)

“State governments set overall educational standards, often mandate standardized tests for K–12 public school systems and supervise, usually through a board of regents, state colleges, and universities. Funding comes from the state, local, and federal government. Private schools are generally free to determine their own curriculum and staffing policies, with voluntary accreditation available through independent regional accreditation authorities, although some state regulation can apply.”

Early in November 2017 SC asked the UGC to give direction to all Deemed Universities that they cannot use the word ‘University’. (http://www.edulaws.com/deemed-universities-cannot-use-word-university/). In a similar move the HRD Ministry should frame rules forcing the schools not to use “Public Schools” with their names unless the school is funded by the government or the community.