CBSE issues ultimatum to schools over pupil–teacher ratio, fees, results

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all the schools under its affiliation to upload certain essential public disclosures on their websites by February 15, 2026. This directive encompasses crucial information like fee structures, yearly academic calendar, parent, teacher association details, and board exam results for Classes 10 and 12 for the last three years.

Through its circular, the CBSE pointed out that the schools, along with publishing the students' details and the next year's admission details, including the number of registered students for Class 10 and Class 12 Board examinations, should also report pass percentages, year, wise remarks, etc.

Most importantly, schools are required to keep the pupil, teacher ratio at a level that is not more than 30:1. With each section, 1.5 teachers should be there at least, excluding the principal, physical education teacher, and counsellor, to ensure that there are enough academic staff members.

Besides that, Board intends that schools should give full details of their teaching staff on their websites. They are requested to provide information about the qualifications and strengths of their principal, vice principal, head teacher, postgraduate teacher (PGT), trained graduate teacher (TGT), and primary teacher (PRT), among others. A school is also required to disclose details of special educators, counsellors, and wellness teachers.

CBSE stated that various school websites still do not have updated information about teachers and their qualifications, which is against the reminders given by the board earlier. It is very disturbing that the lack of transparency in this matter, which has a direct effect on parents' ability to select the right education for their children, is being tolerated.

The board has once again emphasized that running a live and updated website is a bare minimum requirement for all affiliated schools. They are to post the entire institution's information on the website, thus making their affiliation status, infrastructural facilities, teachers' qualifications, number of students, and fee structure, readily available to the public. Moreover, schools should also upload various self, attested documents such as letters of affiliation and renewal, registration certificate of the trust/society, RTE recognition, and safety certificates.

CBSE warned that students whose documents are found to be fake or tampered with may face the most severe sanctions under the affiliation conditions. However, details of infrastructural disclosures should include the size of the campus, the number of classrooms, the facilities in the laboratories, the availability of library, toilets (including the ones for children with special needs), the type of internet access, and a school inspection video on YouTube.

The whole process needs to be transparent, and the Board reiterated that the public disclosures which are truly helpful are not only a regulatory requirement but also a way for parents to make informed choices. The board also warned that missing the February 15 deadline will be regarded as a breach of the affiliation conditions that may lead to school closure or other penal actions against the non, compliant schools.

The ultimatum is a timely call for schools to make their operations more transparent. Focus on a limited pupil, teacher ratio and full disclosures are meant to create a better educational environment where students get adequate help and resources. The very fact that CBSE is vigilant in ensuring adherence to standards speaks volumes about the necessity of upholding quality in the education system.