The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted a series of surprise inspections at 27 schools in Rajasthan and Delhi on Tuesday to address the growing ‘dummy school’ menace, top officials reported. This initiative follows the board’s recent crackdown, where the affiliations of 20 schools were revoked due to their involvement in enrolling dummy students and ineligible candidates. These actions highlight CBSE’s intensified efforts to maintain the integrity and quality of education within its affiliated institutions.

CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta stated that the inspections aimed to ensure that all affiliated schools are strictly following the board’s norms and bylaws. The inspections were strategically planned and executed by 27 teams, each comprising a CBSE officer and a principal from another CBSE-affiliated school. This coordinated approach allowed the inspections to occur simultaneously across the selected schools, preserving the element of surprise and enabling a genuine assessment of the schools’ daily operations and compliance.

Gupta emphasized that the findings from these inspections would undergo a comprehensive review, and appropriate actions will be taken against schools found in violation of the board’s regulations. He reiterated CBSE’s unwavering commitment to rigorous monitoring and oversight, stressing that the board will continue to conduct such surprise inspections to ensure that all affiliated schools uphold the high standards expected by the board.

The issue of dummy schools has become a significant concern, particularly as scores of students preparing for highly competitive engineering and medical entrance exams opt for these schools. These students often bypass regular classes, focusing solely on exam preparation, and only appear for board exams. Moreover, aspirants strategically choose dummy schools to benefit from state-specific quotas in medical and engineering colleges, such as the Delhi State Quota, which favors candidates who complete their education in the capital.

As CBSE intensifies its crackdown on this issue, it sends a clear message to educational institutions: adherence to academic standards and ethical practices is non-negotiable. The board’s ongoing efforts aim to protect the credibility of the education system and ensure that all students receive a fair and quality education. With further inspections likely, schools across the country are expected to maintain higher standards of compliance, ultimately benefiting the entire educational ecosystem.

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