Rajasthan HC orders education boards to ensure students don’t skip school to attend coaching
The court also put the ball in CBSE’s court, giving the board four weeks to reconsider its decision for the three schools. The schools could still take legal recourse in case of an adverse order.
3 min readJaipurUpdated: Sep 19, 2025 10:11 PM IST
During a court ruling, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand observed that it is mandatory for students to maintain at least 75 percent attendance, with schools subject to sudden inspections. (Credit: Pixabay)
The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) to enforce regular attendance in schools for Classes 9 to 12. It also asked the board to conduct surprise checks at coaching classes to ensure students don’t attend these during school hours.
During a court ruling, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand observed that it is mandatory for students to maintain at least 75 percent attendance, with schools subject to sudden inspections. Any unjustified absence or dummy admissions would invite disciplinary action against students, schools, and responsible authorities.
The case arose after inspections conducted by CBSE found serious deficiencies in three schools. Subsequently, show-cause notices were issued to these schools, and penalties were imposed in October last year. This included immediate withdrawal of provisional affiliations for senior secondary levels – that is, from Classes 9-12.
These schools were also barred from taking fresh admissions, but were given the option of having their affiliation restored after rectifying deficiencies. Meanwhile, their students were asked to move to nearby schools.
Two schools – as well as students from Classes 10 and 12 — challenged this order. In their petitions, the students said that their education was being disrupted mid-session.
In its order, the court noted that form submission for board examinations had already begun and that moving students at this stage could adversely affect their academics.
The court also put the ball in CBSE’s court, giving the board four weeks to reconsider its decision for the three schools. The schools could still take legal recourse in case of an adverse order.
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The court also ordered that students who had already completed half of their academic session should not be moved and should be allowed to appear in the upcoming board examinations if found otherwise eligible.
At the same time, the court directed the CBSE and the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education to conduct random inspections to check attendance of both students and teachers. It also ordered the Rajasthan government and all secondary boards to form Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to conduct surprise checks in schools and coaching centres.
“If students are found absent from schools but present in coaching centres during school hours, strict action is to be taken against schools, coaching centres, and all stakeholders involved,” the court said.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
