Schools charging capitation fees to be de-affiliated: CBSE

In a move to stop the “growing tendency among some of the institutions to gain profit through education”,the Board has directed all schools to follow certain norms or face “de-affiliation”. According to the new guidelines issued to all the schools,unaided private schools will have to consult parents through parent representatives before revising the fee structure. Besides this,none of the schools can revise the fees during mid-session,a CBSE official said,adding,“Fees should normally be charged under the heads prescribed by the Department of Education of the state for schools of different categories.”

In addition to these,the school premises should not be used for any commercial activities,and it should have no commercial outlets that indulge in sales of books,uniforms,etc,on the school campus.

CBSE has issued this stern warning to all its schools,stating that non-compliance of these by-laws will make the school eligible for de-affiliation.

The guidelines further clarify that in case a student leaves the school,fees for the quarter or the term should be returned to him/her.

Meanwhile,the CBSE has also incorporated a new provision in the affiliation by-laws to “enable the schools to utilise the infrastructure optimally”. It says that “sharing of facilities between schools and organisations must be formalized in a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the rights,responsibilities and limitations of both the parties are understood and documented”.

The new affiliation by-law reads,“Though the premises of the school should be used or shared on a non-commercial basis,it may generate adequate resources through financially viable programmes.” However,the terms of this “resource generation” must be mutually agreed upon by school management committees and partner organisations.