CBSE annoyed over rise in complaints against affiliated schools

Nagpur: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has expressed displeasure over rise in the number of complaints against schools affiliated to the board. Prior to the start of the current academic session the board has warned the schools to ensure that the bye-laws of the board does not occur.

Secretary of the board, Joseph Emmanuel wrote to the schools saying careful attention of management and heads of schools is solicited towards each one of the concerns as the students, parents, local community and the society at large take note of discrepancies and lapses on the part of the school and bringing it to the notice of the board'.

The clearly annoyed board has said a large number of schools affiliated to the board are not following the provisions laid, when granted affiliation. In the recent representations against schools for violation of provisions of Affiliation Bye-Laws such as non payment of salaries and admissible allowances to the staff, charging fees not commensurate with the facilities, adopting discriminatory practices in admission of students, failing to ban corporal punishment, not providing facilities for the physically challenged, not addressing cases of sexual harassment at work place, non supply of enough clean water or lack of adequate facility for hygienic toilets and sanitation, use of practices relating to commercialization, running of coaching classes etc. are in a rise".

Charging exorbitant fees by schools is an issue regarding which the schools receive maximum complaints. Fees should normally be charged under the heads prescribed by the government and no capitation fee or voluntary donations for gaining admission in the school should be charged.

Prevention of sexual harassment of women at workplace and payment of salaries at par with government employees are the other directives which the board has given to schools. The CBSE has maintained that it will take strict action, including monetary fine against erring schools.