Patna: In a sweeping action to enforce education standards, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the affiliation of 127 private schools across India, citing failure to meet regulatory norms—particularly around land requirements and data transparency. Two prominent schools in Patna are among those affected.
The move has sent ripples through Bihar’s education sector, with many schools now under scrutiny for failing to publish essential information such as prescribed fees and faculty numbers on their websites, as mandated by CBSE.
Land and Infrastructure Deficiencies at the Core
As per CBSE norms, a school must possess at least two acres of land to retain its affiliation. However, several schools, especially in Bihar, operate out of congested residential buildings or plots far smaller than the stipulated size. In some cases, the physical location of schools does not match the addresses submitted in official records.
Additionally, schools have failed to disclose classroom details—including the number of sections and student counts per class—on their websites. This lack of transparency could result in more affiliations being revoked.
Unapproved Branches and Misleading Registrations
CBSE has also flagged the growing practice of schools operating multiple unregistered branches under a single affiliation. Officials have warned parents to verify schools’ U-DISE (Unified District Information System for Education) codes before enrolling their children.
What the Guidelines Say
According to Dr. D.K. Singh, President of the Bihar Public School and Children Welfare Association, schools must have between 20 to 25 classrooms, with at least 12 for Class 10 and six for Class 12. “Proper land deeds are non-negotiable. Non-compliance leads directly to de-recognition,” he said.
