In Surat, DEO puts unique condition before schools— submit fire NOCs, get Board marksheets of students

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board declared the Class 12 (Science and General stream) results on May 5.

Similarly, Class 10 board results were declared on May 8.

As a norm, the students take out an online copy of their result card to begin the procedure of admission to higher classes.

Once the final marksheets are printed, the Board dispatches it to DEO offices across the state.

Surat DEO sent a letter to 254 schools in the city a few days ago, asking them to submit a fire NOC copy to the office and collect the mark sheets.

Acting on instructions, the schools began repairing and installing fire safety equipment besides arranging for emergency exit areas and other requirements.

Sources said while a majority of the schools had received new Fire NOC, others had renewed copies from government-authorised registered firms.

Talking to The Indian Express, Surat DEO Bhagirathsinh Parmar said, “Out of 254 schools, 228 school authorities had come up with the Fire NOC, and we have given them the markets. There were 26 schools that had not submitted a fire NOC. Among them, 11 schools have shown evidence that they have started the procedure and are waiting for the NOC and its renewal copy in two days. However, we have found that 15 schools had not made any initiative for Fire NOC; self-declarations were taken from them, and marksheets will be given to them. These 15 schools had also paid a penalty amount of Rs 10,000 each to the board.”

On condition of anonymity, a member of the Self-financed Schools Association said, “A majority of self-financed schools had got marksheets of Class 12 science, and the remaining others had given self-declaration and got the marksheets. The Class 10 and 12, General stream, marksheets will come in next couple of days. We have also informed all the self-financing schools to comply with the DEO instructions as they concern the safety of students and teachers.”