In a significant move to uphold educational standards, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has withdrawn affiliation from 21 schools and downgraded six others for failing to maintain regular student attendance. The decision was announced on November 6, 2024, following a series of surprise inspections conducted by the board across schools in Rajasthan and Delhi.
The inspections, carried out on September 3, 2024, were aimed at ensuring compliance with CBSE’s Affiliation and Examination Bye-Laws, specifically focusing on the attendance norms for students in classes IX to XII. During the inspections, the CBSE found evidence of several schools admitting non-attending or "dummy" students, a practice that compromises the quality of education and undermines the integrity of the schooling system.
In a detailed notice, the CBSE explained that the affected schools were issued show-cause notices, allowing them 30 days to respond. The board emphasized that such irregularities hinder the foundational growth of students and contravene the core mission of school education.
CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta condemned the practice of accepting non-attending students, calling it an unethical practice that violates the integrity of the education system. "To address this issue, we are taking decisive action to combat the proliferation of dummy schools and send a clear message to all affiliated institutions to resist the lure of accepting dummy or non-attending admissions," he said.
The disaffiliated schools are located in various parts of Delhi and Rajasthan, with 16 in Delhi and five in Kota and Sikar. Among the schools disaffiliated are Khemo Devi Public School, Sant Gyaneshwar Model School, and R.D. International School in Delhi, and Lord Buddha Public School and Vidya Bharti Public School in Rajasthan.
In addition to the disaffiliations, six schools were downgraded from senior secondary to secondary level for failing to meet CBSE’s attendance requirements. These include Adarsh Jain Dharmic Shiksha Sadan and B.S. International School in Delhi.
The CBSE’s firm stance against non-attending students is seen as a major step to ensure that educational institutions maintain high standards of integrity and transparency. By taking action against schools that engage in such practices, the board aims to protect the future of students and maintain the credibility of India’s educational system.