CBSE going beyond jurisdiction, say schools

A section of private schools has raised the banner of revolt against the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), accusing it of crossing its “jurisdiction”.

“The basic purpose of having the CBSE is to conduct examinations, provide certification and maintain the standard of education in affiliated schools. However, the board is continuously deviating from its purpose and intervening in the operations of the schools. The CBSE can’t dictate terms to unaided private schools,” said Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA).

The CBSE issued show-cause notices to at least 13 private schools in last 15 days and withdrew the affiliation of three private schools in Uttar Pradesh, acting on various complaints of irregularities.
It has also maintained pressure on private schools to use textbooks of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for classes I to XII.

The board recently slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on more than 2,000 private schools, when they failed to furnish some details that the CBSE had asked for.

Last year, the board had asked private schools to furnish details about their fee structure, infrastructure, salaries of teachers and other staff and the mode of payment of salaries.

The NISA said the details sought by the board were “confidential information”.

“Only the state government has the right to seek information on school operations. Private schools provide this information to the state governments from time to time,” NISA convener Amit Chandra said.
The NISA demanded that the circular seeking the “confidential information” be withdrawn.

It also demanded that the penalty of Rs 50,000 imposed on schools be revoked.

The NISA said that if its demands are not met at the earliest, it will be compelled to approach the court.
The CBSE, however, remained unmoved by NISA’s stand.

Official sources in the board said that a few more months can be given to the schools to submit the information sought from them.

“If schools do not comply with the affiliation by-laws and directives issued from time to time in the best interest of students, the board will have no option but to take action as per the affiliation rules,” they said.