Aimed at ensuring quality education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to introduce accreditation for schools affiliated to it.“CBSE accreditation will not be similar to the one given to higher education institutions by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). There will not be any type of grading of institutions,” said K Unnikrishnan, president of All-Kerala CBSE School Principals Association and a member of assessing panel.
From 309 schools in 1962, the number of schools has risen to 10,500 in the country. The Board also has international jurisdiction. It has come to the notice of the CBSE authorities that managements of many schools approach the Board at the time of initial affiliation, up-gradation or renewal of affiliation.
Once these formalities are over, there is no measure to check whether the quality of education is maintained.The only indicators of standards are Class-X and XII Board exam results which are also highlighted by schools individually.
“The CBSE has entrusted 12 empanelled agencies like the All-India Association for Christian Higher Education for carrying out the task of assessment. The agencies will inspect parameters in seven domains, including infrastructure, results, admission procedure, staff recruitment procedure and use of technology. Another feature of the accreditation is that an accredited school need not renew its affiliation to the CBSE. However, schools will have to renew their accreditation every three years,” said Unnikrishnan, who is also the principal of Delhi International Senior Secondary School, Valanchery. “It is expected that CBSE accreditation will soon become a factor indicating the quality of education offered by schools,” he said.