Adherence to norms of Affiliation of CBSE

CBSE, New Delhi issued a circular regarding adherence to norms of affiliation. The circular is addressed to school principals. Here the circular is. Kindly visit CBSE official site for original circular.

It has been observed in the recent past that a large number of schools are not adhering to the provision laid down under the Affiliation Bye-laws of the Board which are mandatory in nature.

There have been instances of schools who are not paying salaries and admissible allowances to the staff, charging fees which are not commensurate with the facilities, adopting discriminatory practices while admitting students, failing to ban corporal punishment, not providing facilities for the physically disabled, not addressing cases of sexual harassment at work place and not ensuring enough supply of clean water or provision of sanitation practices.

Careful attention ought to be paid to each one of the concerns mentioned as the students, parents, local community and society take note of any discrepancy and bring it to the notice of the authorities.

It has also been observed that a number of schools are running coaching institutions within the school premises under the pretext of providing coaching for entrance examinations.  This is not approved by the Board and schools need to take note of such malpractices immediately. In case they do not adhere to the conditions as provided in the Affiliation Bye-laws, appropriate action is liable to be taken against them.

The following conditions laid down in the Affiliation Bye-laws  are once again being brought to the notice of the schools for ready reference:

SALARY AND SERVICE CONDITIONS OF STAFF

(a) Rule 3.3(V) “The school in India must pay salaries and admissible allowances to the staff not less than the corresponding categories of employees in the State Government schools or as per scales etc. prescribed by the Government of India.” Further, the service conditions as per Rule 10 and Rules 24 to 49 of Affiliation Bye-Laws also be adhered to.

FEES

• Rule 11.1 “Fees charges should be commensurate with the facilities provided by the institution. Fees should normally be charged under the heads prescribed by the Department of Education of the State/U.T. for schools of different categories. No capitation fee or voluntary donations for gaining admission in the school or for any other purpose should be charged / collected in the name of the school. In case of such malpractices, the Board may take drastic action leading to disaffiliation of the school.”

• Rule 11.2 “In case a student leaves the school for such compulsion as transfer of parents or for health reason or in case of death of the student before completion of the session, prorata return of quarterly/term/annual fees should be made.

• Rule 11.3 “The unaided schools should consult parents through parents representatives before revising the fees. The fee should not be revised during the mid session.”

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS

(a) Rule 12 “Admission in the school affiliated to the CBSE shall be made without any distinction of religion, race, caste, creed, place of birth or any of them. As regards reservation for SC/ST students is concerned, it shall be governed by the Education Act/Rules applicable to the State/U.T. where the school is situated.”

(b) It is noted that some schools are giving preference to outside students for admission in Class XI on the basis of higher marks which should be avoided to prevent unhealthy competition. First reference for Class XI admission shall be given to own students on the basis of common admission criteria evolved by the school.

CRUELTY TOWARD STUDENTS

The school Management shall provide the right ambience and climate to the students to develop and enrich talents to facilitate total development of personality. To develop a creative human being in a fearless environment schools should encourage teachers to adopt alternative strategies to corporal punishment. Rule 44.1 empowers the school Managing Committee to take action against an employee if he is charged with cruelty towards any students or any employee of the school.

FACILITIES FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

• Rule 8.2 “Every institution will provide proper facilities like ramps toilets for wheel chair users and auditory signals in elevators in lifts in accordance with the provisions laid down in PWD Act, 1995 and in conformity with National Policy of Education.”

• Rule 13.11 “Every school shall promote inclusion of student with disabilities/special needs in the normal school as per provisions of the ‘Persons with Disabilities Act 1995’ and in conformity with National Policy of Education.”

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORK PLACE

(a) To prevent sexual harassment of women at work place, Rule 10.9 of Affiliation Bye-Laws prescribes that “check gender specific violence, strictly comply with the guidelines and norms prescribed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the writ petition (Criminal) No. 666-70 of 1992 Vishaka and others V/s State of Rajasthan and others delivered on 13-8-1997 for protection of women from sexual harassment at the work place.” Detailed circular dated 16.2.2004 issued by the Board is available on website www.cbse.nic.in

HELATH, SANITATION AND FIRE SAFETY

(a) Rule 3.3(VII) – “Every institution will provide adequate facilities for potable drinking water and clean healthy and hygienic toilets with washing facilities for boys and girls separately in proportion to the number of students.”

(b) Rule 8.5 “The school should scrupulously observe prescription from the Municipal Authority regarding drinking water and fire safety precaution in the school. A certification from the Municipal/Fire Authorities regarding sanitary conditions and water/fire safety should be submitted along with the application. A fresh certificate regarding fulfillment of these requirements should be obtained and submitted to the Board every five years.”

(c) Rule 23.11 “Make satisfactory arrangements for the supply of good drinking water and provide other facilities for the pupils and ensure that the school building, its fixtures and furniture, office equipment, lavatories, play grounds, school garden and other properties are properly and carefully maintained.”

RUNNING CLASSES OF COACHING INSTITUTIONS

Running of classes of coaching institutions in the school premises in the pretext of providing coaching to the students for various entrance examinations is not approved by the Board. Some schools are organizing such programmes by naming it as an integrated school programme that teaches both CBSE syllabus and prepare students for various entrance examinations to mislead the students and their parents.

The premises of CBSE schools should not be used for any commercial activity. Every school should ensure devotion of minimum periods for teaching various subjects as per the syllabi and course prescribed by the Board. No coaching classes or parallel classes should be run in the school that consumes and affects the regular time table of the school or that deviates the focus of students from regular  course of study.

The Heads of Schools are advised to take note of the above and also bring it to the knowledge of school Managing Committee. Any violation of the guidelines of the Board would attract action against the erring schools.