KOZHIKODE: Time’s up for CBSE schools which have been functioning as a law unto themselves after obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the state government. The revamped ‘CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018’, brought out recently by the board has given more control to the state government over the functioning of such schools and also upcoming ones in the state.
The new bye-laws have also designated the state as the ‘appropriate government’ which would solely decide if the existing 1,300 CBSE schools in the state, as well as those in the pipeline, meet the prescribed norms in terms of infrastructure, safety, sanitation and land ownership. “The CBSE would not re-check any aspects vetted by the state government during its inspection of schools,” the bye-laws state.
The state government has also been given the power to bring in regulations on fees levied in CBSE schools. As per the bye-laws, fees would be charged as per the regulation of the appropriate government (state) and fee revision shall be subject to its laws, regulations and directions.
The ‘Recognition’ clause
Moreover, CBSE’s insistence on ‘recognition certificate’ would be another crucial aspect which would enable the state government to make errant CBSE schools fall in line. Though CBSE schools in Kerala obtained a one-year relaxation from the board, all 1,300 plus schools will have to obtain it fairly soon from the state. “Earlier, once the NOC was obtained, we had no business with the state government. We only needed to renew our affiliation every three years with the CBSE. Now, the state can cancel the NOC and prescribe a new set of rules while granting fresh NOC or during issuance of recognition certificate,” said the manager of a leading CBSE school.
Kerala CBSE School Managements Association general secretary Indira Rajan said the new bye-laws have reduced procedural delay in getting affiliation. “If the school managements have concerns about the state government getting a decisive role in affiliation process, it can be addressed through dialogue with all stakeholders,” she said.
'NOC a policy matter'
General Education Secretary A Shajahan said the grant of NOC to CBSE schools is a ‘policy decision’ which needs to be taken at the highest level. Since the LDF Government assumed power, fresh NOC has not been granted to any CBSE school. Aggrieved school managements had taken legal recourse and obtained a court verdict that schools which meet the prescribed norms are eligible for NOC.
“The government is planning to approach the court seeking more time for implementation of the order. Though we have no issues with the functioning of existing CBSE schools, permission for new ones will be subject to strict scrutiny as we do not want mushrooming of such schools without any regulation,” said a top source in the government.