CBSE, IB schools taking donation or interviewing kids to lose NOC: Maharashtra government

The government is considering revoking the NOC of all those CBSE/ICSE/IB schools that collect donations, charge hefty fee for admission forms or hold interviews of kids or parents for admission.

Schools affiliated to CBSE, ICSE and IB boards don't come under the purview of the state government. However, they do require NOC from the state before starting the institution.

In a written reply to the legislative council, education minister Vinod Tawde admitted that the government has received several complaints from parents against some schools, mainly from South Mumbai, regarding collection of donations, charging huge amount for admission forms and conducting interview of kids and parents, all of which are illegal and, as per the RTE Act, make the schools liable for penalty for flouting norms.

Tawde informed the Upper House that schools would be penalised Rs25,000 on first offence and Rs50,000 for every violation thereafter.

The number of such schools against which action is being considered couldn't be obtained.

Donation in the guise of charity
Education activists claim that almost all schools affiliated to central and international boards are openly flouting rules by demanding donation as a precondition for admission, though on paper it is for charity. The amount of donation ranges from Rs10,000 to Rs15 lakh, depending on the location and goodwill of the school, say parent bodies.