This new circular has raised apprehensions within the budget private school sector, with operators asserting that it could lead to adverse consequences for the education system. Kulbhushan Sharma, the National President of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), has taken a strong stance on behalf of private schools, addressing these concerns in a letter directed to the CBSE Chairman, Secretary, and Controller of Examinations. The circular, released on July 24, 2023, has triggered anxieties about its potential impact on the educational landscape.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, CBSE had previously issued an order allowing budget private schools to admit 40 to 45 students in each class over a three-year period. This period has now elapsed, and on July 24, 2023, CBSE issued a new circular mandating schools to revert to the enrollment figures from three years ago – with a maximum of 40 students per class, excluding 10th and 12th grades. Private school operators contend that this change could hinder the quality of education.
Sharma, NISA’s National President, underscores that budget private schools associated with the CBSE board operate on relatively low fees. With reduced student numbers, these schools might face financial strain, which could impede their ability to provide comprehensive facilities and maintain high-quality teaching staff. The potential consequences are far-reaching and directly threaten the quality of education being imparted.
One of the core concerns raised by Dr. Sharma is the restriction on the number of sections within a class. He advocates for the autonomy of private school operators to determine the number of sections in a class, rather than adhering to CBSE’s stipulation that limits each class to two sections, each comprising only 40 students. He argues that this rule overlooks practical considerations and fails to accommodate changing circumstances, particularly regarding the Right to Education (RTE) students who, upon completing their studies in the 8th grade, lead to decreased enrollment in higher classes.
NISA stands united in its plea to reconsider the new circular and to engage in constructive dialogue with the CBSE authorities to address the concerns of budget private school operators. The organization believes that a collaborative approach can result in policies that support the betterment of the education sector without adversely impacting its stakeholders.