The Central Information Commission (CIC) has advised the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to conduct unannounced inspections of its affiliated schools amid concerns over alleged dummy admissions. The recommendation aims to strengthen compliance with attendance requirements for students appearing in board examinations.

Commission Flags Concerns Over Attendance Violations

According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi issued the recommendation while examining a complaint concerning allegations that some schools provided documentation to students who were not regularly attending classes.

The commission referred to Section 25(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, as the basis for recommending surprise inspections. It indicated that such checks could help improve oversight and identify potential violations of CBSE regulations.

RTI Application Raised Questions About School Practices

The matter originated with a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details about attendance rules at private missionary schools in Bhopal. The applicant also requested information on CBSE guidelines governing subject choices and prescribed textbooks.

The applicant subsequently raised concerns about dummy admissions, a practice in which students remain enrolled on paper but do not attend regular classes while continuing to pursue board examination qualifications.

Initially, the CBSE's Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) returned the application because of an issue with the Indian Postal Order submitted as the application fee. The applicant was asked to submit a valid payment instrument in favour of the CBSE secretary in Bhopal.

CIC Criticises Technical Grounds for Rejecting the Application

During the proceedings, the commission observed that procedural shortcomings should not prevent applicants from accessing information under the RTI framework. It emphasised that the concerned public information officer should assist applicants and facilitate responses to their individual queries.

The officer expressed regret over the initial handling of the application and agreed to provide the requested details. Subsequently, the CBSE submitted a response addressing the questions separately, which the commission accepted into the record, PTI reported.

CBSE Rules Require Students to Meet Attendance Criteria

In its response, the board referred to the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. These provisions require students to attend classes regularly and satisfy the prescribed minimum attendance criteria to qualify for board examinations.

Schools affiliated with the board are not permitted to present students for these examinations if they fail to meet the applicable attendance conditions.

Inspections Could Strengthen Enforcement

The CIC's recommendation places renewed emphasis on monitoring affiliated schools and ensuring that attendance regulations are implemented effectively. Surprise inspections could help the CBSE identify irregular enrolment practices and hold schools accountable for non-compliance.

The recommendation is intended to reinforce existing rules and safeguard the credibility of the board examination system by ensuring that students meet the prescribed academic and attendance requirements.