The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Gujarat education department have intensified efforts to curb the growing issue of dummy schools and non-attending students. Recent inspections by CBSE teams have uncovered violations of board by-laws in multiple schools across Ahmedabad, prompting state authorities to consider stringent actions against such practices.
CBSE Inspections Highlight By-Law Violations
Two Ahmedabad schools, The New Tulip International School and Nirman School, were inspected by CBSE officials and listed among the 29 schools across India found violating affiliation by-laws. These violations include:
- Enrolling students without actual attendance.
- Failing to comply with CBSE’s infrastructure and operational norms.
The findings have drawn attention to the widespread issue of “dummy” enrollments, where students are registered but do not attend regular classes.
State Government Steps Up
The Gujarat education department has pledged to take strict action against schools that undermine the importance of regular attendance.
Key Statements:
- Mukesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Primary and Secondary Education), emphasized the critical role of attendance in education, particularly for students aspiring to competitive exams like JEE.
- Kumar stated, “We take complaints about non-attending students seriously. Inspections will be initiated for schools found promoting such practices.”
The state’s robust affiliation system, which ensures compliance with norms before granting approval, will also be leveraged to address these issues.
Embarrassment for Local Authorities
The surprise CBSE inspections have embarrassed District Education Offices (DEOs) in Ahmedabad, which failed to act despite prior knowledge of such schools.
- City DEO Rohit Chaudhary acknowledged the issue, stating, “We have identified schools flouting norms and will take action soon.”
- Despite prior initiatives to identify dummy schools, no substantial penalties or closures were enforced.
Implications of Dummy School Practices
Dummy schools focus solely on preparing students for competitive exams, disregarding the importance of regular academic attendance. This practice not only violates education board norms but also compromises the holistic development of students.
The Way Forward
Both CBSE and the Gujarat education department are committed to addressing this issue by:
- Conducting rigorous inspections.
- Enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
- Strengthening affiliations to prevent dummy practices.
Parents, educators, and stakeholders are encouraged to report any irregularities to ensure a fair and transparent education system.
