The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has conducted surprise inspections in 29 schools across Delhi, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Patna, Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, and Chhattisgarh to identify institutions enrolling “dummy” students. These inspections, carried out on December 13 and 14, revealed widespread violations of the CBSE’s Affiliation Bye-Laws, leading the Board to issue show-cause notices and consider legal action.
Key Findings from the Inspections
According to CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, the inspections uncovered schools enrolling students without regular attendance, essentially creating “non-attending” enrolments. This practice not only breaches CBSE guidelines but also raises concerns about the integrity of the education system.
Additionally, several schools were found to lack the required infrastructure mandated by the Board. Of the 29 schools inspected:
- 18 were in Delhi.
- 3 were in Varanasi.
- 2 each were in Bengaluru, Patna, Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, and Chhattisgarh.
Why Dummy Enrolments Are Problematic
Dummy enrolments are common among students preparing for competitive exams like engineering and medical entrance tests. These students enroll in schools but do not attend classes, focusing solely on exam preparations. While this may seem advantageous for students aiming for top ranks, it creates discrepancies in school records and violates CBSE regulations.
Dummy schools are often chosen strategically for state-based quotas in professional courses. For instance, students completing Classes 11 and 12 in Delhi become eligible for admissions under the Delhi State Quota in medical colleges, offering them a competitive edge.
CBSE’s Response
The CBSE has taken these violations seriously and is preparing to issue show-cause notices to the defaulting schools. Legal action is also being considered to ensure compliance with the Board’s rules.
“Enforcing strict adherence to the Affiliation Bye-Laws is essential for maintaining the credibility of the CBSE system,” said Himanshu Gupta.
Implications for Schools and Students
The inspections send a strong message to schools to prioritize compliance with CBSE regulations. Institutions engaging in dummy enrolments risk severe penalties, including fines and potential disaffiliation.
For students, this crackdown underscores the importance of adhering to regular attendance and legitimate enrolment practices. Those involved in dummy enrolments could face complications in their academic records and eligibility for future opportunities.
How CBSE Is Strengthening Compliance
To prevent future violations, the CBSE plans to:
- Conduct regular inspections of affiliated schools.
- Strengthen the monitoring of enrolments through digital systems.
- Impose strict penalties on institutions breaching regulations.
A Step Towards Transparent Education
CBSE’s initiative reflects its commitment to upholding transparency and integrity in school education. By addressing the issue of dummy enrolments, the Board aims to ensure that affiliated schools adhere to the highest standards, benefiting students and educators alike.
