Despite CBSE ban, coaching centres running classes in schools

Even as the menace of fake admissions is growing in the city, schools affiliated with the CBSE continue to run the exclusive integrated school programme under the pretext of preparing students of IITs/JEEs as well as board exams despite the board's recent ban.

The programme, which schools run in association with local coaching centres, was banned by the board through its circular dated February 6, 2014, which stated that the arrangement lead to commercialisation of schools.

However, the practice continues to be rampant in many schools in the tricity.Students enrolled under this programme are assigned to separate sections in a school and are taught by teachers from coaching institutes. The latter teach them subjects like physics, chemistry and mathematics from 8 am to12 pm for the CBSE as well as competitive examinations, while subjects like English and physical education continue to be taught by members of the school faculty.

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Fiitjee, a coaching centre in Sector 35, is having such an arrangement with Mount Carmel School, Sector 47 for the past several years.

When contacted, the school's principal, Charles Samuel, denied such practices commercialised schools. "I feel this integrated arrangement is far better than the dummy school culture that is prevalent in the city. In the integrated arrangement students don't skip school and yet continue to prepare for entrance exams. The school charges its standard fees while the coaching centre charges the student separately," he said.

However, when asked about theCBSE circular, Samuel said the school cannot go against the board's instructions. "We'll get in touch with the board - if it says the arrangement can't be continued we'll end it," he added.

AK Vidyamandir, a coaching centre in Sector 34, has a similar arrangement with Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36 (GNPS-36 ) and SGGS Collegiate Public School, Sector-26 (SGGS-26), according to Tarun Sharma, an official at the centre. When contracted, GNPS-36 principal Gurnam Grewal said the school only provided a room to the coaching centre to hold their classes so that students. "This arrangement will be ended from the next session," she said.

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SGGS-26 Jot Singh also claimed while the coaching centre had conducted such classes in the past the school no longer had a tieup with it. Another coaching institute, Lakshya, has been promoting its integrated programme at Doon International School, SAS Nagar and Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula.

When contacted, Lakshya's business development officer Ramneesh Pal stated its plan to start the programme in schools were on hold due to the board's recent direction.

Bhavan Vidyalaya school principal Shashi Banarjee, when contacted, said the school had thought of introducing the programme after requests made by parents to ensure "some good coaching within the school premises." "But after the board's recent instructions a decision on the matter has been put on hold. The school will now take the appropriate steps as per the CBSE's affiliation rules," she said.

Official speak….
A school cannot allow a private coaching institute to hold classes on the former's premises. If schools continue to do so they are clearly flouting rules. We will stock of the situation soon.-RJ Khanderao, regional director, CBSE

What CBSE says in its circular?

Holding classes of coaching institutions on school premises under the pretext of providing coaching to students for various entrance examinations is not approved by the board. Some schools are running such a programme by calling it an "integrated school programme" to teach the CBSE syllabus as well as help prepare students for various entrance examinations, thereby misleading the students and their parents. The premises of CBSE affiliated schools should not be used for any commercial activity. Every school should devote a minimum number of periods for teaching various subjects as per the syllabi and course prescribed by the board. No coaching or parallel classes that affect a school's regular timetable or diverts the focus of students from regular course of study should be held in the school.