The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) to take strict measures to ensure that students of classes 9 to 12 do not skip schools to attend private coaching classes.
A division bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand issued the order while hearing petitions filed by three schools that had challenged CBSE’s decision to penalise them for various deficiencies, including withdrawal of provisional affiliation.
The bench directed both boards and the State of Rajasthan to constitute Special Investigating Teams (SITs) to carry out random surprise inspections during school hours. If students are found absent from schools and simultaneously present in coaching centres, the court said strict action should be taken against all stakeholders, including students, schools, and coaching centres.
“Attendance in schools is mandatory, and any unjustified absence will invite disciplinary action against the concerned students and institutions,” the court observed.
The bench highlighted that shifting students from schools to coaching centres disrupts academic continuity and adversely affects their education. It further directed that students whose studies are interrupted mid-session due to such practices should not be permitted to appear in board examinations.
In the specific matter before it, CBSE had earlier pointed out serious deficiencies in three schools, leading to penalties. While granting the schools four weeks’ time to rectify the deficiencies, the High Court clarified that they may seek legal remedies if any adverse orders are passed against them after review.
At the same time, the court reiterated that compliance with CBSE norms and the broader mandate of school education cannot be compromised in favour of coaching practices.
