Hyderabad : Telangana high court on Friday sought to know from the Central Board of Secondary Education ( CBSE ) what steps it has taken to address allegations that some private schools are compelling students to follow non-NCERT curricula and purchase study material at exorbitant prices.
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Vijay Gopal also sought the court’s intervention on the implementation of mandatory institutional mechanisms such as school management committees, school governing bodies and parent-teacher associations in private schools, as required under applicable state education rules and CBSE regulations. The petitioner sought directions for stricter regulatory oversight of private schools affiliated with the CBSE, including compliance with prescribed academic norms, curriculum requirements and financial transparency obligations. Referring to CBSE affiliation bye-laws and provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, the petitioner contended that CBSE-affiliated schools should be directed to teach NCERT textbooks and adhere to the prescribed curriculum framework.
Seeking to declare such inaction illegal and arbitrary, the petitioner requested the court to direct appropriate action and impose a penalty of ₹10 lakh on the board.
The petition also alleged inaction on the part of the CBSE despite earlier complaints on the issue.