KOZHIKODE: CBSE has begun cracking the whip on affiliated schools in the state which are indulging in unfair practices ranging from violation of affiliation guidelines to fleecing of students.
The CBSE regional office slapped a fine of Rs two lakh - the highest ever in the country - on one such school for poor infrastructure, unsafe classrooms and a host of other unfair practices.
A check conducted on Friday at Sabarigiri School in Anchal, Kollam, by CBSE Regional Officer Tarun Kumar, revealed that the school had 45 students more than what was declared on the rolls in classes 10 and 12. Thirty students in class 10 and 15 students in Class 12 were found to be from other unaffiliated branches of the school, in violation of CBSE norms.
Private coaching in campus
"The school was running a unit of a private coaching centre within the campus. One tutor was even found taking entrance coaching classes during school hours," said a source. Besides, the school was selling clothes and books directly and the payment was being collected by school staff in the society's account. Most of the books were sold above the printed price and school staff was posted for its sale.
Other anomalies detected during the surprise check were lack of proper infrastructure, poor lighting in classrooms, insufficient number of toilets, dysfuntional computer lab in the primary section, lack of concrete roofing and window panes on higher floors.
Collection of development fee
During a check conducted at Navadeep Public School in Kollam, it was found that the school was charging Rs 150 for issuing transfer certificate and that the school society was collecting development fee from the students - both in violation of norms. The school was fined Rs 50,000 for the anomalies.
CBSE regional office has served notices to both schools and have gave them a time of 10 days to furnish explanation or face disaffiliation.