In Haryana, CBSE schools to move HC over Class VIII board exam

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, January 2

Private schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are at loggerheads with the Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) over the latter’s directive on conducting Class VIII board exams in all schools of the state.

Illogical decision

There’s resentment among CBSE schools… BSEH decision is illogical. We have no other option, but to approach the court . — Anil Kaushik, State Prez of Private Schools’ Assn

Schools refuse to get registered

• Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) has asked all schools to get registered on its website before January 10 for the Class VIII examination
• All schools, however, have taken a collective decision to not get registered in protest
• They say the syllabus differs from school to school

Nothing wrong

There’s nothing wrong with the decision. CBSE bylaws state that schools up to Class VIII have to follow directives of the state concerned. — VP Yadav, Vice-Chairman, Haryana School board

The schools have not only decided that they will not get registered with the BSEH for the purpose, but have also resolved to file a writ petition in the high court against the decision. They say that the BSEH cannot force any school affiliated to other boards to follow its directive.

“Mandating Class VIII exams by the BSEH for all schools will mean dual affiliation, which is neither practical nor feasible. Hence, we are resisting its decision and are all set to challenge it in the high court. Since the schools (opposing the decision) possess a no objection certificate issued by the state government, allowing them to affiliate with any board for the purpose of curriculum, assessment and exam structure, it is beyond our understanding why the BSEH is imposing its decision,” said Anshul Pathania, district president, Haryana Progressive School Conference (a group of CBSE-affiliated schools).

The syllabus for Class-8 differs from school to school and a common examination such as this would disrupt the current curriculum followed in schools affiliated to other boards, Pathania said.

The BSEH had asked all schools to register themselves on its website before January 10 so that students could get enrolled for Class VIII examination. All schools, however, took a collective decision at a recent meeting to not get registered in protest, said Pathania.